Changes Coming to the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act to Close COVID loophole… in June 2022

The Illinois legislature has approved an amendment to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act (“HCRC”) which would limit employees’ ability to use the law to avoid workplace vaccination mandates.

HCRC, which was enacted in 1977, prohibits discrimination against individuals for their “conscientious refusal” to receive “any particular form of health care services contrary to his or her conscience.” The Act also makes it unlawful for employers to impose any burdens in terms or conditions of employment on, or to otherwise discriminate against, any applicant for the applicant’s refusal to receive any form of health care services contrary to his or her conscience.

The original intent of the bill was to allow health care providers to refuse to provide contraceptives or abortion services if it violated their conscience. However, some individuals have argued that the broad language of HCRC provides a shield for employees to avoid COVID-19 testing and vaccination mandates.

The Amendment would add language stating that it is not a violation of the Act to institute and enforce COVID-19 requirements in the workplace and other institutions. The proposal does not interfere with employees’ right to receive reasonable accommodations for their sincerely held religious beliefs.

Governor J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign the amendment, which would go into effect in June 2022.