Filed Date: June 10, 2020
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case is about a challenge to an Illinois law requiring health insurance policies to provide coverage for abortions.
On June 10, 2020, the Illinois Baptist State Association, two Illinois corporations–Southland Smiles, Ltd. and Rock River Cartage, Inc.–and two Illinois residents filed suit against the Illinois Department of Insurance and its Director (collectively, the “Illinois Department of Insurance” or “IDOI”)) in state trial court. The plaintiffs sought judicial review of the state’s Reproductive Health Act of 2019 (“RHA”), which mandated that every health insurance plan providing pregnancy-related benefits in Illinois also provide coverage for abortion (“the Mandate”). Plaintiffs alleged that the Mandate violated their rights under the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act and Illinois Health Care RIght of Conscience Act by requiring them to fund and provide health care coverage for abortion. Represented by the Thomas More Society and private counsel, plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief.
Following discovery, on September 4, 2024, the state trial court denied the Illinois Baptist State Association’s motion for summary judgment and granted the Illinois Department of Insurance’s motion for summary judgment, thereby entering final judgment in favor of the defendants. The court found the Illinois Baptist State Association failed to meet its burden of proving that the Mandate imposed a substantial burden on their religious exercise, as it could select alternative insurance plans not subject to the Mandate and so maintain insurance coverage without conflicting with its religious beliefs.
Having lost in the trial court, the Illinois Baptist State Association filed an appeal in the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court on January 8, 2025. As of September 29, the appeal is pending before the court.
Summary Authors
Avery Coombe (9/29/2025)
State / Territory: Illinois
Case Type(s):
Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 10, 2020
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
An Illinois nonprofit, as well as two Illinois corporations and their owners, who all provided health insurance to their employees.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Reproductive rights:
Reproductive health care (including birth control, abortion, and others)