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Illinois order revised to allow small, safe worship services

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois will allow small, safe worship services during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a modified extension of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order that took effect Friday.

A small evangelical church in northern Illinois, which filed a federal lawsuit, is taking credit for the change that permits people 'œto engage in the free exercise of religion'ť.

Also Friday, a Republican state representative who won a temporary restraining order barring Pritzker's stay-at-home decree, extended through May 30, has asked a state appellate court to withdraw the order so that he may file a new complaint using additional information.

Pritzker issued his initial order on March 21 as COVID-19 cases in Illinois were swelling. It was extended once after April 8 and last week, through May 30. But the latest version allows nonessential businesses to take phone and online orders, opens state parks and allows some delayed elective surgeries.

Nonetheless, 'œliberty rallies'ť seeking even fewer restrictions were held Friday at the Capitol in Springfield and the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago where Pritzker has an office.

'œWhen do we open up?'ť said former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, who was among more than 100 protesters in Chicago. 'œWe need a rational conversation about that.'ť

They carried signs that said, 'œReason over fear'ť and 'œThe cure is worse than the disease.'ť Others stayed in cars, circling the block and honking their horns.

As of Thursday, 52,918 people in Illinois had tested positive for COVID-19, and complications of the illness caused by the coronavirus had claimed 2,355 lives. The actual number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest that people can be infected without feeling sick.

The lawsuit filed by The Beloved Church in Lena, 130 miles (210 kilometers) northwest of Chicago, argues that the stay-at-home order violates the First Amendment right to free religious practice. After its filing Thursday, Pritzker told reporters that he understands the frustration worshippers are facing, particularly at a time of global crisis but said he planned no changes.

While still encouraging the use of online and drive-up services, the change appeared in Pritzker's executive order Thursday night, said Peter Breen, senior counsel for the Thomas More Society, which is representing the church.

It allows congregations of no more than 10 people at a time. Participants must observe the accepted 6 feet of social distance from fellow worshippers designed to discourage transmission of the potentially deadly coronavirus. It does not specifically require face coverings, but the May 1 order requires one for people who are in public settings and within 6 feet of others.

'œThe people of faith in Illinois stood up and secured a win for their first liberty: the free exercise of religion,'ť Breen said. 'œCalling religious freedom '~non-essential' was an insult to people of faith.'ť

Breen said the lawsuit continues but the church, which pledged to re-open Sunday, no longer needs to fear penalties for doing so. Breen said Pastor Stephen Cassell is mulling options for conducting services while complying with the adapted order.

Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh didn't specify what prompted the change in favor of worship but said the new version would protect public safety 'œwhile working with medical experts to ensure people throughout the state can continue to participate in worship services.'ť

Rep. Darren Bailey of Xenia won the initial restraining order Monday in Clay County that prevented enforcement of the stay-at-home. Although that ruling applied only to him, it opened the door to similar lawsuits. GOP Rep. John Cabello filed one Wednesday in Winnebago County that would cover residents across the state.

The Pritzker administration appealed the Bailey decision to the state's 5th District Appellate Court and a short time later, asked the Supreme Court to consider the matter directly because it deals with the construction of state law.

Bailey said he has 'œnew information,'ť which he wouldn't specify, that will strengthen his new complaint.

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Check out more of the AP's coronavirus coverage at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

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Follow Political Writer John O'Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor

Protesters rally against Illinois stay-at-home order outside the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, Friday, May 1, 2020. The Friday demonstration is the latest in a series of protests around the country against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) The Associated Press
A street vendor sells American flags during a rally against Illinois stay-at-home order outside the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, Friday, May 1, 2020. The Friday demonstration is the latest in a series of protests around the country against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) The Associated Press
Protesters rally against Illinois stay-at-home order outside the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, Friday, May 1, 2020. The Friday demonstration is the latest in a series of protests around the country against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) The Associated Press
A protester holds a sign outside the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, Friday, May 1, 2020. The Friday demonstration is the latest in a series of protests around the country against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) The Associated Press
A protester holds a sign outside the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, Friday, May 1, 2020. The Friday demonstration is the latest in a series of protests around the country against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) The Associated Press
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