As the same sex couple Carole Briggs and Rose Adams found out, the protections of the Illinois Civil Union Act, allowing same sex couples to marry, do not travel across state lines. As stated in this article, Adams lives in Arkansas, a state which does not recognize same-sex marriage or same-sex unions. Therefore, even though they receive protection under Illinois law, if they choose to live in Arkansas they will still be without the status and protections (e.g., the ability to visit in the hospital in an emergency situation.).

The article did make clear, however, that when a same-sex couple is applying for a  license in Illinois to enter a civil union under the Civil Union Act, they have a right to the license even though the union may be illegal in their home state. There is a certification that applicants have to sign in order to obtain the license that the union would not be illegal in the home state. However, this certification applies to situations involving age of consent and familial relations (i.e. first cousins marrying, or underage marriages.)