Illinois House amends the Health Care Right of Conscience Act

Posted on October 28, 2021
SB 1169 has passed the House, 64-52-2, and goes to the Senate. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Disagreement over the covid vaccine bubbled up again … when the Illinois House Wednesday debated – and passed – a bill tightening a “Right of Conscience” act so you can’t use it to get out of your employer’s testing and vaccine requirements.

Like other opponents, State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said it’s more government overreach. “Government has made a lot of horrible decisions,” he said. “Have they ever forced people to take vaccines? Have they? Anybody? Yes, they have! Have they had adverse results on those individuals? Yes, they have!”

The sponsor, Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), may have had Davidsmeyer in mind here: “Contrary to rampant misinformation campaigns,” Gabel argued, “this bill is not a vaccine mandate. In fact, it does not require anyone to do anything.”

SB 1169 has passed the House, 64-52-2, and goes to the Senate.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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