Will County Gazette

State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) said amending the Health Care Right of Conscience Act sets "a dangerous precedent" when it comes to the protection of religious beliefs in the workplace that could have a longstanding impact on future generations.

The amendment gives employers the ability to take steps or enact requirements that are "intended to prevent contraction or transmission of COVID-19," which include the enforcement of vaccine mandates. 

"The proposal before us diminishes religious protections in the workplace," Curran said on the Senate floor. "This is a dangerous precedent and a slippery slope."

Curran, who voted against the bill, said it overrides protections granted to employees. 

"My objection is not about vaccinations. I'm vaccinated. That's not the issue here," he said. 

Curran said he worries about how this law could be applied in years to come for other worker rights that are currently protected.

"This diminishment of protections in the workplace for workers, today this is the issue," Curran said. "In the future, it could be a diminishment of protections that allows one to take a prayer break in the workplace, allows one to wear a religious garment, a religious headdress in the workplace. If we go down this, we don't know where it ends." 

The bill goes into effect on June 1, 2022. It passed the Illinois House of Representatives with 64 yes votes, 52 no votes, and two voting present. It also passed the state Senate with 31 yes votes and 24 no votes.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) approved the bill on Nov. 8 and signed it into law. 

House Reps. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) both supported the bill in the House. Senators Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) sponsored it in the Senate.