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IL SB3985
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/6/2026
Primary Sponsor
Jason Plummer
Click for details
AI Summary
- Creates the Protecting Religious Assembly in States of Emergency Act (PRAISE Act), exempting places of worship from state or local government emergency orders that require closure or limitation of businesses and public facilities
- Defines "place of worship" to include churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other buildings or structures primarily used for religious worship, including their grounds
- Requires religious organizations receive the same degree of freedom to meet as the "most favored entity" under any emergency declaration
- Allows individuals or religious organizations to file civil lawsuits seeking injunctive relief, compensatory damages, nominal damages, and punitive damages (when malice or recklessness is shown) for violations
- Preempts home rule units from regulating places of worship inconsistently with the Act and amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act to prohibit emergency orders that violate these protections
Legislative Description
RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLY-EMERGENCIES
Last Action
Referred to Assignments
2/6/2026
Committee Referrals
Assignments2/6/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available