Metro East Sun

State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) sees recent legislation signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker as an attack on personal freedoms.

"Pritzker and the Democratic Party have completely abandoned the working people and families of this state,” Bailey, currently seeking the GOP nomination for governor, said in a post to Twitter. “He continues to strip individual freedoms and make decisions that should be between an individual and their doctor. I will always support ensuring vaccines and information is readily available for those who seek it and need it, but I will never support forcing and threatening individuals and families with continued government force.”

Pritzker recently signed into law of Senate Bill 1169, a measure that alters the Health Care Right of Conscience Act by stripping away conscientious objections as a legitimate excuse for refusing to adhere to COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates in the state.

Bailey sees a contradiction in the bill.

“A few months ago, we called healthcare workers heroes, now Pritzker wants to ensure they can be fired if they don't submit to his tyrannical rule,” he said. “These never-ending mandates and radical attacks by Pritzker on individual freedom must stop."

After passing the House by a 64-52 vote and later the Senate, the bill is set to go into effect on June 1, 2022.

Republicans continue to blast the bill as an overreach by the governor and overzealous Democrats.

“Senate Bill 1169 is a direct assault on an individuals’ right to make healthcare decisions for themselves,” State Sen. Jason Plummer said in a statement. “The governor can’t stand the fact that the people of Illinois have had enough of his mandates, and are standing up for their rights.”

Language newly inserted into the bill establishes that it is not a violation of the law to “take any measure or impose any requirements intended to prevent contraction or transmission or COVID-19.”

At the same time, an individuals’ employment can be terminated, or individuals can be effectively banned from schools or places of employment if they do not comply with the company mandates allowed under the passage of the bill.

“Thank those who stood with us and voted no, and remember those who voted yes,” Bailey said after the final Senate vote was recorded. “They must be held accountable and voted out next November.”