House Sponsors: GASH-ROSKAM-PUGH-BIGGERT-CROSS, RONEN, WINTERS, BIGGINS, WINKEL, TURNER,JOHN, WAIT, FEIGENHOLTZ, SCOTT, LOPEZ, HOFFMAN, PHELPS, MULLIGAN, COULSON, SANTIAGO, NOLAND, SKINNER, KUBIK, STEPHENS, LANG, GIGLIO, HARTKE, ERWIN, RODRIGUEZ, KENNER, FANTIN, CURRY,JULIE, MCGUIRE, MCAULIFFE, LYONS,EILEEN, CLAYTON, BOLAND, HOLBROOK, DURKIN, O'BRIEN, COWLISHAW, BEAUBIEN AND BRADLEY. Senate Sponsors: PARKER-BERMAN-CRONIN-HAWKINSON-LINK Short description: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Provides that State or local government may not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person (i) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and (ii) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest. Provides that if a person's exercise of religion has been burdened in violation of this Act, that person may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and may obtain appropriate relief against a government; authorizes an award of attorney's fees and costs to a prevailing party. FISCAL NOTE (Administrative Office of Illinois Courts) This bill will have no fiscal impact. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Authorizes units of local government to enact ordinances that protect the free exercise of religion in a manner or to an extent equal to or greater than the protection provided in the Act. Provides that an ordinance is void and unenforceable if it (i) is in furtherance of a less than compelling governmental interest and (ii) is not the least restrictive means of furthering that governmental interest. Limits concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Makes other conforming changes. FISCAL NOTE, AMENDED (Administrative Office of Ill. Courts) No change from previous note. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Adds July 1, 1998 effective date. GOVERNOR'S AMENDATORY VETO MESSAGE Recommends addition of a provision that the Act does not apply to any person who is incarcerated in a penal institution or who is in the custody of an employee of a penal institution. Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 90-0806 Last action date: 98-12-04 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 1 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status