Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford, Diocese of Springfield sue Illinois leaders

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A federal lawsuit filed Thursday on behalf of the Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford and the Catholic Diocese of Springfield claims a recently amended state law violates their constitutional rights.

The Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford at 4108 Morsay Dr., says it is a religious nonprofit that seeks to live out Christian beliefs, advocate against abortion and provide pregnant women with counseling services and resources free of charge.

The Diocese of Springfield holds similar views, saying it strives to live out the teachings of the Catholic Church, “including indispensable beliefs about reproduction, marriage and the dignity of human life.”

The lawsuit argues a recent amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act penalizes churches and religious organizations if they discipline or refuse to hire employees based on voluntary reproductive decisions like abortion.

Under the act, a person cannot be discriminated against based on their personal reproductive health decisions, including fertility care and abortion.

The lawsuit explains that under the amended Human Rights Act, the Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford and the Diocese of Springfield are in violation of the Employment Clause due to their hiring policies and requirements for employment. Lawyers for the groups say the amended state Human Rights Act renders the religious organizations powerless and violates their First Amendment rights.

“The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois proclaims, teaches, and encourages Catholics to live out all the teachings of the Church, including the dignity and value of human life,” said Bishop Thomas John Paprocki. “Our employees represent the Diocese and are expected to uphold our standards of conduct to ensure they align with the doctrine and moral teaching of the Catholic Church. However, under state law, we cannot hire or retain employees based on our deeply held religious beliefs on pro-life teachings without being subject to disciplinary action. We must have the freedom to follow and express our convictions without government interference.”

The lawsuit names James Bennett, director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul as defendants. It was filed by lawyers for the Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal advocacy group that represents religious organizations.

“Illinois can’t force pro-life religious organizations to bend their knee to the state’s secular view of abortion,” said ADF Senior Counsel Mark Lippelmann. “The Constitution protects the right of religious organizations to choose workers who will advance—rather than contradict—their religious beliefs. We urge the court to uphold these organizations’ fundamental right to serve their communities consistent with their faith.”

The amendment took effect January 1, 2025. In December 2024, state leaders said the amendment strengthens reproductive rights in the state of Illinois.

New Winnebago County Citizens for Choice President and legal expert Sara Dady disagreed with their argument.

“It’s nice to see the pregnancy care center admitting that it is not a clinic and they are in fact a religious-based organization,” said Dady.

Dady said religious organizations are exempt from some anti-discrimination laws for employers. She said the center will have to explain how it’s not a religious-affiliated employer to get anywhere with the lawsuit.

“It’s highly disturbing the pregnancy care center is arguing it’s religious based on the one hand but not religious based for the purposes of discrimination,” said Dady.

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) enforces the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in connection with employment opportunities, housing and real estate transactions, access to financial credit, and the availability of public services and public accommodations, including educational institutions.