SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois lawmakers are expected to consider legislation in early January that would ease the process for residents seeking to change their names. Supporters argue that the bill would benefit survivors of domestic abuse, transgender individuals, immigrants, and others who face safety risks, by reducing barriers to legal name changes.
House Bill 5164, sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam, a Democrat from Chicago, aims to eliminate the requirement that name changes be published in local newspapers. The bill would also reduce the state residency requirement for those seeking a name change, from six months to three months. Villivalam emphasized that 24 states have already eased similar name change requirements, and Illinois should follow suit to safeguard its residents.
However, the bill has faced opposition from Senate Republicans, who are concerned about potential loopholes and the risks of easing the requirements too much. Senate Minority Leader John Curran, a Republican from Downers Grove, voiced concerns about impounding records, which allows court records of name changes to be restricted from public view. Republicans also questioned whether the bill could be used by individuals with criminal backgrounds to evade consequences. Senator Sue Rezin, a Republican from Morris, raised concerns about the potential for criminals to use the new rules to avoid detection.
Ziri, however, clarified that the bill does not change the fact that individuals on the sex offender registry, or those convicted of serious crimes like arson and murder, are prohibited from changing their names, except under specific circumstances such as marriage, religious reasons, or gender identity. He also pointed out that the name change process still requires a judge’s signature and that the process can take months to complete.
Villivalam stressed the broader goal of the bill: to protect residents who have been subject to discrimination, hate, and violence. He believes that this legislative change will further ensure the safety and well-being of Illinoisans, particularly as social tensions rise across the country.
The bill must pass the full Senate during the first week of January in order to reach Governor JB Pritzker’s desk. If it does not pass in time, it will have to go through the entire legislative process again after the new General Assembly convenes on January 8.