Written by Jim Davids, Esq.

On March 16, 2020, Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2020-07 that states in part,

Beginning March 18, 2020, all public and private gatherings in the State of Illinois of 50 people or more are prohibited for the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation. A public or private gathering includes community, civic, public leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, and any similar event or activity that brings together 50 or more people in a single room or a single space at the same time. This includes venues such as fitness centers/health clubs, bowling alleys, private clubs, and theatres. This does not include venues that provide essential goods or services such as grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, gas stations, banks/credit unions, and shelters.

Since many, if not most, of the churches in our State have more than 50 people in the worship center, we have pursued alternatives, such as moving worship online. This actually has brought the Gospel to a much broader audience, with many pastors reporting that more people are watching their services online than at their average Sunday service. But, not every church member has a computer or internet access, and there is no equal to personal warmth and caring when done in person.

As U.S. Attorney General William Barr observed recently, this pandemic does not nullify the Bill of Rights, including America’s first freedom to exercise religious faith. All government officials – federal, state and local – must respect and protect the constitutionally protected freedom of Americans to worship according to their own beliefs.  Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-07 obviously hinders Illinois residents in their exercise of religion, as well as in their right to peacefully assemble.

This deprivation of religious rights is effectuated by the Governor’s decision not to recognize religious services as “essential.” People congregating in some stores is okay, according to the Governor, but not in church.  This has undoubtedly resulted in many churches seeing a reduction in tithes and offerings.  The Governor is not treating all secular gatherings and religious gatherings the same, based on his opinion of what is “essential.”

The Bible is clear that we should respect and obey government leaders (Rom. 13; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Titus 3:1). At the same time, Paul and other Christians availed themselves of their rights as citizens and used the judicial systems of their day to appeal unjust rulings (e.g., Acts 25).  In our system of government, Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Orders are subject to review by judges who may find them unconstitutional or otherwise contrary to law.

If the Governor’s Order prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people in a room, or his subsequent “stay at home” order, has resulted in

• Members of your church being unable to worship;
• Typical events like funerals, marriages, baptisms being unable to proceed; or
• Substantial financial losses due to decline in donations‍

and if you sincerely believe that restarting in-person church meetings is essential to your church’s ministry, we would like to talk to you about filing a law suit on your behalf. The phone call would be free, and, if our lawyers decide to take your case, you will not be charged for their services on your behalf. Please contact us to talk about your situation:

Justice & Freedom Law Center (JFLC)
(630) 333-9595
contactus@jflc.us

Finally, let us end this with a little encouragement. During times of crisis, like the present one, people realize their weakness, their vulnerable health, and their need for a Savior. Remain vigilant in declaring the truth of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection.

Use also this opportunity to show the love of Christ in tangible ways. Consider delivering food to the elderly in your churches, or expanding your food pantry. You can also consider using your church as a temporary day care for healthcare workers or first responders.

Be of good cheer. Remember that God is in control, and perhaps this pandemic is His means of creating a revival in our State and country.

Jim Davids is a native Chicagoan who, after graduating from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI and Duke University School of Law in Durham, NC, returned to Chicago to begin practicing law. At church on a Sunday night in 1977 he met Sue, and after a two-year courtship they married. They raised four children in Chicago, and now have 12 grandchildren. (Read more here…)

We have a loving and merciful God of compassion who wants us to turn to Him and take shelter in Him as our refuge and our strength. He is our sure rock in the midst of any storm, the light that pierces every darkness, and an anchor of hope for those who contend with despair. We should embrace every opportunity to bring our appeals before Him.

Prayer Guidance Points:

Pray for Revival: We may not be able to see it now, but God is working good in this season of COVID-19 (Romans 8:28). Pray that people around the world would seek God during this pandemic and economic shut down. Pray that the lost would find great hope and eternal peace in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

For the Glory of God: Pray that this crisis would be a wake-up call to lukewarm believers and would-be seekers. Pray that God would draw people to Himself in a powerful way. Pray for the spread of the Gospel. In this time of great anxiety and uncertainty, pray that God’s people would be ready to meet the world with the comfort and hope that only the good news of Jesus Christ can offer.

For those in Authority: As they decide how to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, pray for President Donald Trump and his teams of health and economic advisors. Pray for Governor J.B. Pritzker and his advisors. Pray for local city officials throughout the state. May the Lord give them an abundance of wisdom and discernment so that the “stay in place” order will quickly diminish and life can get back to normal.

Peace: May God Almighty reach out to all those who fear that they are sinking beneath waves of anxiety. May they receive that courage, resilience, and healing grace that can only come from the Prince of Peace.

Greater Faith: Pray that through this we would better understand what it means to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). Scripture teaches that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Tim 1:7). Pray for enduring faith during this season of heightened fear, anxiety, and confusion. Appropriate precautions should be taken, but Christians must continue to rely on God and trust His purposes and plans (Rom. 8:28).

Medical Workers: Pray for healthcare workers and first responders who are on the front lines. Pray for protection for their health and protection for the health of their families.

News Media: Christians should pray for those in the news media. Pray that reporters and journalists would accurately report updates about the status of the virus and not seek to peddle conspiracies, politicize the threat, or stoke fear where it is unwarranted.

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One Illinois lawmaker is calling for a state-wide day of prayer on April 24. Citing the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to look toward the future, State Representative Darren Bailey (R- Louisville), issued the call in a media release.

“I understand addressing the immediate health consequences of the virus is a priority, but we must not lose focus on what we need to do to restore Illinois to prosperity and inspire recovery,” said Bailey. “Also, calling out to God for help is simply accessing a Divine resource that is ours for the asking.”

Drawing from Matthew 18:20, Bailey said, “We know from Scripture, the Holy Word of God, the Lord hears us when we call out.”

The three main focuses of the Day of Prayer are,

1.) Pray for our nation and its leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

2.) Pray for those struggling with anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7)

3.) Pray for those in need (Psalm 22:4-5, 19)

While noting the immediate priority to focus on the virus, “we must not lose focus on what we need to do to restore Illinois to prosperity and inspire recovery,” said Bailey. The release pointed to research by the Illinois Policy Institute that ranked Illinois 47th out of 50 states in having the worst private-sector economies in the nation in 2019–losing 13,100 manufacturing jobs.

Bailey recommended steps to get the economy back on track including taking the graduated income tax proposal off the ballot in November and putting the state on a diet. “We need less spending and smaller government,” Bailey said. “When times are tough for families, they tighten their belts, save their money, and do with less. If such commonsense solutions are good enough for working families, it ought to be good enough for government.”

Protect Your Family, Community & Property Values – VOTE NO   

Westchester residents are being given an opportunity to shape their future. The following referendum question appears on the ballot, asking voters:

Shall the Village of Westchester prohibit the location of adult-use cannabis dispensing organizations within the Village of Westchester?

Though Illinois lawmakers failed us, communities can help to reduce the harm legalization brings with it by prohibiting retail businesses from setting up shop.

It’s no secret that with legalization comes an increase in black market crime, traffic fatalities, more addiction and more young people being drawn into a life of drugs.

Marijuana is still a federally controlled Schedule 1 drug.

Schedule 1 (I) drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined by the federal government as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule 1 (I) drugs are the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence.

• Voting NO will send the right message to young people in the community about the dangers of this drug. Communities that allow marijuana stores are sending a message that it’s not harmful, thereby lowering the perception of risk which increases use.

• Voting NO will limit drug traffic in your community. Westchester does NOT want to be a destination point for users seeking to purchase their next stash of drugs.

• Voting NO will force marijuana business owners to locate elsewhere, out of reach of those who have a greater tendency to become addicted.

• Voting NO would likely prevent an increase in criminal activity associated with retail marijuana businesses.

• Voting NO will have a positive impact on your property values.

• Voting NO would help protect your family and community from a host of unintended consequences. Far from being an innocuous drug that the marijuana lobby portrays as safe and even medicinal, marijuana has serious health risks that should alarm any parent and community. (Learn more at NoWeedIllinois.com)

IFI strongly recommends that you vote NO when you cast your ballot.

Protect Your Family, Community & Property Values – VOTE NO   

Rosemont residents are being given an opportunity to shape their future. The following referendum question appears on the ballot, asking voters:

Shall the Village of Rosemont, Cook County, Illinois, allow cannabis dispensaries to operate within the boundaries of the Village of Rosemont?

Though Illinois lawmakers failed us, communities can help to reduce the harm legalization brings with it by prohibiting retail businesses from setting up shop.

It’s no secret that with legalization comes an increase in black market crime, traffic fatalities, more addiction and more young people being drawn into a life of drugs.

Marijuana is still a federally controlled Schedule 1 drug.

Schedule 1 (I) drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined by the federal government as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule 1 (I) drugs are the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence.

• Voting NO will send the right message to young people in the community about the dangers of this drug. Communities that allow marijuana stores are sending a message that it’s not harmful, thereby lowering the perception of risk which increases use.

• Voting NO will limit drug traffic in your community. Rosemont does NOT want to be a destination point for users seeking to purchase their next stash of drugs.

• Voting NO will force marijuana business owners to locate elsewhere, out of reach of those who have a greater tendency to become addicted.

• Voting NO would likely prevent an increase in criminal activity associated with retail marijuana businesses.

• Voting NO will have a positive impact on your property values.

• Voting NO would help protect your family and community from a host of unintended consequences. Far from being an innocuous drug that the marijuana lobby portrays as safe and even medicinal, marijuana has serious health risks that should alarm any parent and community. (Learn more at NoWeedIllinois.com)

IFI strongly recommends that you vote NO when you cast your ballot.