Case: Conlon v. Sebelius

1:12-cv-03932 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: May 21, 2012

Closed Date: 2013

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Case Summary

On May 21, 2012, the Catholic Bishops of Joliet, IL and Springfield, IL, on behalf of their respective dioceses, along with several affiliated Catholic organizations, filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois against the Federal Government under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000bb), the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 706(2)), and the First Amendment. Plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, seek to enjoin enforcement of provisions of the Affordable…

On May 21, 2012, the Catholic Bishops of Joliet, IL and Springfield, IL, on behalf of their respective dioceses, along with several affiliated Catholic organizations, filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois against the Federal Government under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000bb), the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 706(2)), and the First Amendment. Plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, seek to enjoin enforcement of provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) extending universal contraception coverage in employer-sponsored private health insurance coverage. Plaintiffs contend that this mandatory contraception coverage violates their sincerely held religious beliefs.

On February 8, 2013, the court (Judge John W. Darrah) granted defendants' motion to dismiss for lack of standing and ripeness. The court noted that the Federal Government had indicated in the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) its intention to amend the regulation. And while these amendments did not eliminate the possibility of imminent injury to the Plaintiffs, it did impact the likelihood of injury such that it was not "certainly impending." The court also held that the Plaintiffs inability to plan for the future based on the uncertain law did not impact their daily business.

Summary Authors

Wyatt Fore (4/5/2013)

Richard Jolly (3/30/2014)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5595601/parties/r-daniel-conlon-bishop-of-the-roman-catholic-diocese-of-joliet-illinois/

Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

Baron, Courtney R. (Illinois)

Beckenhauer, Eric B. (Illinois)

Bennett, Michelle Renee (Illinois)

Berwick, Benjamin Leon (District of Columbia)

Chicago, AUSA - (Illinois)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:12-cv-03932

Docket [PACER]

March 5, 2013

March 5, 2013

Docket
27

1:12-cv-03932

Amended Complaint and Jury Demand

Aug. 8, 2012

Aug. 8, 2012

Complaint
54

1:12-cv-03932

Memorandum Opinion and Order

Feb. 8, 2013

Feb. 8, 2013

Order/Opinion

923 F.Supp.2d 1126

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5595601/r-daniel-conlon-bishop-of-the-roman-catholic-diocese-of-joliet-illinois/

Last updated Dec. 18, 2024, 6:24 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Illinois

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Contraception Insurance Mandate

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 21, 2012

Closing Date: 2013

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Catholic Bishop of Joliet, IL, the Catholic Bishop of Springfield, IL, and associated Catholic organizations.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Federal

U.S. Department of Labor, Federal

U.S. Department of Treasury, Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Hospital/Health Department

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Religious Freedom Rest. Act/Religious Land Use and Inst. Persons Act (RFRA/RLUIPA)

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Free Exercise Clause

Establishment Clause

Freedom of speech/association

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General/Misc.:

Religious programs / policies

Discrimination Basis:

Religion discrimination

Reproductive rights:

Contraception