The claim: The governor of Illinois has ordered churches be closed for one year

As governors make plans for reopening businesses and allowing gatherings with social distancing guidelines in place, claims have surfaced that churches in Illinois will be closed for a year.

An article posted by the Geller Report carries the headline “Illinois: Democrat Governor Closes Churches For a Year” and claims that churches will not open until phase five of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-phase plan, which could last up to a year.

Under the Geller Report headline is a story, originally published by the Washington Examiner, that reports the state will enter phase three of the plan on May 29 at the earliest and that the state will not enter phase five of the plan until a vaccine or highly effective drug is readily available.

The Washington Examiner story itself carries the headline "Illinois governor says churches may not reopen for a year or more because of coronavirus." The Geller Report headline states that possibility with certainty.

Illinois governor issues five-phase reopening plan

On May 5, Pritzker announced his approach to reopen the state but noted the initial plan “can and will be updated as research and science develop and as the potential for effective treatments or vaccines is realized.”

The first phase of the plan includes reducing the rate of infection and implementing strict stay-at-home orders. Phase two allows the opening of nonessential retail stores for curbside pickup and delivery, and Illinoisans are directed to wear a face covering when leaving the home.

Phase three allows for gatherings of up to 10 people if the number of patients needing ICU beds decreases, while phase four allows for gatherings up to 50 people If the rate of infection and the number of patients admitted to a hospital continues to decline.

Phase five says the economy can fully reopen with safety precautions if a vaccine or highly effective treatment is widely available. With a treatment, Pritzker said he will allow for festivals, large events, schools and places of recreation to be open.

Churches file suit and hold services

The Beloved Church of Lena in Stephenson County defied Pritzker’s stay-at-home order by holding services on May 3, days after it filed a lawsuit against the governor’s executive actions regarding COVID-19, according to Newsweek. The suit claims Pritzer’s orders were discriminatory toward those practicing religion.

The article further states that on the same day the lawsuit was filed, Pritzker had modified his stay-at-home order to allow religion practices as an essential activity.

The Chicago Sun-times reported that the Democratic governor issued an extended stay-at-home order that states religious gatherings are allowed but are limited to 10 people and that attendees must wear face coverings and social distance. The order still encourages residents to use online or drive-in services.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the five-phase reopening plan “largely relies on residents to police themselves” and said that Pritzker opened the possibility that the reopening plan could be subject to future modifications.

 “I am not afraid to redesign the playbook if the rules change,” Pritzker said.  

Our rating: False headline

We rate the claim that Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has closed churches for a year as a story with a FALSE HEADLINE. While the governor has said it could be up to a year before the state can enter phase five of the reopening plan, in which gatherings of 50 people or more can be held, it largely depends on when a vaccine and an effective treatment becomes available. Pritzker has noted that the plan is subject to change, therefore, it is not guaranteed that churches will remain closed for a year. Furthermore, the governor of Illinois has revised his stay-at-home order to allow for small worship services with less than 10 people with safety precautions in place. The article mentions this but the headline is misleading.

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