(WSIL)—Illinois Right to Life is the latest organization to file a lawsuit against Gov. JB Pritzker. The pro-life group is demanding equal treatment for large gatherings. Similar to a lawsuit filed by the Illinois Republican Party, Illinois Right to Life says members should have the same opportunity to hold events and rallies as churches and protesters. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Liberty Justice Center attorneys note crowds can have up to 50 people during Phase 4 of Restore Illinois. Pritzker says all four regions of the state could move into the next phase on Friday. The statewide organization canceled two events this spring due to Pritzker’s ban on group gatherings. The lawsuit states they also canceled the annual “Rise and Dine Breakfast” fundraiser supporting women in crisis pregnancies.
Planning for the future
The organization plans to hold their annual Leaders for Life banquet on July 23 with hundreds of people in attendance. IRL is working with banquet organizers to hold a safe “COVID-conscious” event. The group also plans on holding their Pro-Life Training Tour events throughout the summer.
“The governor has said it’s ok for some organizations to gather, to fundraise and to rally support around their cause but everyone else faces the threat of police enforcement or being shut down,” said Illinois Right to Life Executive Director Mary Kate Knorr. “Our request is simple: Equal treatment under the law. We want to be able to get our message out and do our work just like the other advocacy organizations and social causes that the governor has permitted to do so.”
The plaintiffs are requesting the Court declare Pritzker’s crowd limits violate the First and 14th Amendments. “The First Amendment applies equally to all Illinoisans – not only groups whose political views are supported by Gov. Pritzker,” said the president of the Liberty Justice Center. “The work and voice of Illinois Right to Life in the public sphere is just as critical and constitutionally-protected as other voices.”
The Pritzker administration addressed the lawsuit with a statement Wednesday afternoon. “The courts have repeatedly upheld the Governor’s executive orders as based on public health guidance,” stated Press Secretary Jordan Abudayyeh. “The State has never prevented people from exercising their First Amendment rights.”
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office will handle the case.