Pritzker Lifts Restrictions on Illinois Churches

Facing a barrage of legal challenges from Illinois churches and a Supreme Court deadline, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to remove a provision limiting the number of people who can attend in-person religious services when he signs a new version of his stay-at-home order on Friday.

The move comes as the state moves into phase three of Pritzker’s reopening plan, with a wider range of businesses opening their doors for the first time in more than two months. 

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh ordered Pritzker to respond to a lawsuit by two churches by 8 p.m. Thursday.

Just hours before, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a set of guidelines for churches, none of which are mandatory.

Pritzker’s extended stay-at-home order, set to expire after Friday, previously added religious services to the list of “essential” activities but mandated that they be limited to 10 or fewer people.

In its Supreme Court filing, the state argues that the churches’ request is moot because Pritzker “has announced that after that date religious gatherings will no longer be subject to mandatory restrictions.”

“Having received many plans and ideas from responsible faith leaders, IDPH has reviewed many detailed proposals and has provided guidance, not mandatory restrictions, for all faith leaders to use in their efforts to ensure the health and safety of their congregants,” Pritzker said Thursday at his daily press briefing.

That includes “suggestions” for capacity limits and limited indoor gatherings to 10 people or fewer, he said.

The state moves into the third phase of the Democrat’s five-stage “Restore Illinois” plan, a step that will see reopening of manufacturing and retail, outdoor dining at restaurants and small social gatherings.

Guidelines released this week set a 25% capacity limit on capacity in reopening offices and provided more specific advice for other industries. 

Restaurants and coffee shops with outdoor space can resume service. Gyms can provide one-on-one personal training or small outdoor classes.

Barbers, nail and hair salons also can reopen with precautions, including keeping a log of customers in case public health officials need to warn them of exposure to a positive case.