Illinois Baptists lose religious freedom case, expect to appeal

 By Lisa Misner - Posted at Baptist Press:

Published September 9, 2024

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A circuit judge in Springfield has ruled against the Illinois Baptist State Association in a suit to protect IBSA from requirements to provide employees with insurance benefits that cover abortion. The ruling, saying the Illinois Reproductive Health Act did not violate IBSA’s religious freedom, came more than four years after IBSA filed suit.

“The September 4 ruling discounts the beliefs of over 150,000 Illinois Baptists, as well as all Illinoisans who hold these same sacred convictions, by requiring all insurance coverage in our state to pay for abortion on demand, without a clear pathway for religious exemptions for churches or faith-based ministries,” said IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams.
“We stand by our position that the Reproductive Health Act is inconsistent with the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act,” Adams said. “We are reviewing the ruling with our attorneys and expect to appeal the decision.”

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