Springfield, IL - Tomorrow, attorneys from Thomas More Society will appear in the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court to defend the religious freedom of the Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA) and challenge the state’s mandate requiring all health insurance providers to include abortion coverage in their plans.

When Illinois legislators passed the “Reproductive Health Act” in 2019, they reassured people of faith that religious and moral convictions would be respected, and that no individual or organization would be forced to require abortion coverage in their health care plans.  

On behalf of the Illinois Baptist State Association, Thomas More Society filed the state lawsuit in June 2020 and now five years later, the state continues to compel faith-based employers to choose between violating their core beliefs or dropping health coverage for their employees altogether.

“From the outset, lawmakers assured us that this legislation would respect the rights of people of faith,” stated Peter Breen, Executive Vice President and Head of Litigation at Thomas More Society and former Illinois House Republican Floor Leader. “However, these assurances have proven to be nothing more than empty promises, reflecting a stark reality of broken trust and deceit.”

“Mandating that faith-based employers fund elective abortions is a blatant violation of our clients' fundamental rights and a profound betrayal of the trust of Illinoisans. We look forward to ending this unlawful mandate and protecting religious freedoms against the extreme abortion agenda of JB Pritzker and the General Assembly majority.”

Currently, the only health insurance plan available in Illinois without mandated abortion coverage is offered by an out-of-state provider. That option is cost-prohibitive, unreliable, and insufficient to meet the needs of Illinois Baptist State Association’s employees and their families.

“Our clients are not asking for special treatment, they are asking for the freedom to live and work consistent with their faith,” said Matt Belz, Special Counsel at Thomas More Society. “The State of Illinois should not be in the business of coercing people of faith into paying for abortion, in violation of their deepest moral convictions. The Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act protects Illinois Baptist State Association’s sincerely held and undisputed religious beliefs. We urge the Appellate Court to recognize the constitutional harms in this case and strike down this anti-religious nonsense from state law.”  

Oral arguments are scheduled for August 26 at 1:00PM at 201 W. Monroe St, Springfield, IL.

Additional Information:

Complaint filed in the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Sangamon County, Illinois (June 10, 2020)

Appeal brief filed in the Illinois Appellate Court Fourth District (January 7, 2024)

Reply brief filed in Illinois Appellate Court Fourth District (May 28, 2025)