North Egypt News

State Rep. Dave Severin (R- Springfield) recently announced he is co-sponsoring the bill to create the COVID-19 Religious Exemption Act.

The bill, HB 4239, would prohibit discrimination against individuals who decline a COVID-19 vaccination if it conflicts with their religious beliefs.

"The legislation makes it unlawful for any person, public or private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner because of such person’s refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to his or her belief," Severin stated in a press release.

Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Springfield) filed the bill, dubbed the "Freedom Act" on Nov. 30, 2021 and Severin signed on as a co-sponsor on Dec 2.

"This proposal would protect Illinoisans who receive public assistance through unemployment and LINK card food assistance (from being) cut off from support or discriminated against based on their COVID-19 vaccine status," Severin said, "HB 4239 would make it illegal to refuse any form of aid,  assistance, or benefits, or to condition the reception in any way otherwise entitled to such aid."

Severin, who announced his re-election bid earlier this month, has expressed his opposition to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's amendment to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act making it more difficult to refuse COVID-19 mandates, according to a Carbondale Reporter article.

"My voting record reflects my strong conservative Republican principles," Severin said. "I have opposed all of the Democrats' gun-grabbing attempts, I voted no on repealing a parent's right to know if their minor child is going to have an abortion, I voted against JB Pritzker's plan to limit religious freedoms in health care matters, and I voted against the Democrats' ridiculous gerrymandered legislative maps. I have a long conservative legislative record that puts me in the strongest position to continue representing the people of Southern Illinois in a new district."