Sec. 11-45. Bigamy and Marrying a bigamist.
168 words·~1 min read·
/il/chapter-720/act-5/11-45-2A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Sec. 11-45. Bigamy and Marrying a bigamist.
(a)Bigamy. A person commits bigamy when that person has a husband or wife and subsequently knowingly marries another.
(a-5) Marrying a bigamist. An unmarried person commits marrying a bigamist when that person knowingly marries another under circumstances known to him or her which would render the other person guilty of bigamy under the laws of this State.
(b)It shall be an affirmative defense to bigamy and marrying a bigamist that:
(1)The prior marriage was dissolved or declared invalid; or
(2)The accused reasonably believed the prior spouse to be dead; or
(3)The prior spouse had been continually absent for a period of 5 years during which
time the accused did not know the prior spouse to be alive; or
(4)The accused reasonably believed that he or she or the person he or she marries was
legally eligible to be married.
(c)Sentence.
Bigamy is a Class 4 felony. Marrying a bigamist is a Class A misdemeanor.