Bigamy is the act of marrying one person while being legally married to another. Polygamy is the practice or custom (often religious) of having more than one wife or husband at a time. Most states prohibit a party from having more than one marriage license at a time, and in most states bigamy is a crime.
In Illinois, both bigamy and polygamy are prohibited by law. Under Illinois law, bigamy is the offense of marrying someone while already being legally married to another person. It is classified as a Class 4 felony, according to 720 ILCS 5/11-45, which can result in serious legal consequences, including imprisonment. Polygamy, which involves having more than one spouse simultaneously, is also not recognized or permitted under Illinois law. The state's marriage laws require that individuals must be legally free to marry, meaning that any previous marriage must have been legally dissolved through divorce or annulled before a new marriage license can be issued. Engaging in polygamy or bigamy can lead to criminal charges and penalties, reflecting the state's commitment to monogamous marriage as the legal standard.