On Dec. 13, the daily online publication Rewire introduced a new resource, the Religious Imposition Legislative Tracker, a comprehensive and timely database of state and federal legislation that seeks to expand the reach of religious power into secular lives.
The legislative tracker details state and federal measures related to religious imposition, such as RFRAs ( Religious Freedom Restoration Acts ), which allow those with religious objections to avoid complying with certain laws. Others take the form of conscience and refusal laws that permit civil servants, healthcare workers and others to deny people access to birth control, abortion and other basic services based on moral or religious objections. Still other measures, such as anti-transgender legislation ( or so-called "bathroom bills" ), target specific groups and seek to shield businesses and individuals from anti-discrimination laws.
Regarding Illinois, the tracker lists 26 statutes that fall into the categories, including the Illinois Abortion Performance Refusal Act ( in effect ), the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act ( in effect ), the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act ( in effect ) and even the Illinois Bill Amending the Anatomical Gift Act ( failed to pass ).
The tracker is at https://rewire.news/legislative-tracker/law-topic/religious-imposition-laws/.
Earlier information at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/New-tracking-tool-for-religious-imposition-bills-/57498.html .
