Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 4867 (HB 4867), which amended the Illinois Human Rights Act to “prohibit discrimination based on reproductive health decisions,” according to a media release from his office.
Advocates for life don’t view the legislation in the same way. “Forcing people or organizations to violate their religious beliefs is unconstitutional and has no place in our society,” said Greg Baylor, Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel.
‘Dangerous legislation’
“We are disappointed to see this dangerous legislation signed into law, as it plainly violates the First Amendment freedoms of pro-life employers in Illinois,” Baylor noted.
The bill’s definition of reproductive health decisions includes “healthcare related to the continuation or termination of pregnancy…” By including “termination of pregnancy” in the definition, employers such as churches, crisis pregnancy care centers, and religious schools will be required to hire staff who do not support their pro-life views.
“Many organizations, including religious and mission-driven entities, maintain their unique character through their personnel choices,” Baylor said. “These employers advance their missions and communicate their messages by hiring and retaining people who wholeheartedly support and share the organization’s mission and message.” The ADF’s senior counsel said, “HB 4867 destroys that essential freedom.”
State Attorney General Kwame Raoul lauded the bill’s signing and said he stands ready to defend against any legal challenges to it.
Reproductive health decisions cited in HB 4867 also include “birth control, fertility or sterilization care, miscarriage management care, assisted reproductive technologies such as in-vitro fertilization, and prenatal, intranatal and postnatal care.”
The bill, which was signed on Aug. 7, goes into effect on Jan., 2025. It was filed and sponsored by Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin). It’s chief sponsor in the Senate was Senate President Dan Harmon (D-Oak Park).
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Lisa Misner and originally published by the Illinois Baptist.
