Update On Thomas More Society Lawsuit

I posted yesterday on the Thomas More Society's lawsuit against Illinois Gov Pritzker's executive order forbidding religious services. The Thomas More Society's website now has this update:

In response to a lawsuit filed on April 30, 2020 by the Thomas More Society, on behalf of The Beloved Church and Pastor Stephen Cassell, Illinois Governor “JB” Pritzker has modified his new Executive Order. The governor will now allow residents to leave their homes “to engage in the free exercise of religion,” placing it on the list of “essential activities.” The new executive order encourages churches to reopen for “drive-in services” and allows small in-person gatherings. Previously, Illinois was one of only 10 states that entirely banned religious services.

. . . The Pritzker administration had released its most recent Executive Order to the media several days ago. That draft included no religious freedom language, and at his press conference on April 30, 2020, despite repeated questioning about the Thomas More Society’s lawsuit and religious freedom, the governor made no mention of changing the order. Then, Governor Pritzker quietly issued his new order, which included previously unseen religious freedom language.

. . . The Thomas More Society’s lawsuit will continue, as the new Executive Order provides only a partial victory for The Beloved Church and Cassell. That case is pending before United States District Judge John Z. Lee, of the Northern District of Illinois. The court has ordered expedited briefing on the Thomas More Society’s request for a temporary restraining order to allow Cassell and The Beloved Church to hold services this Sunday.