Bill Text: IL HR0495 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Requests the reestablishment of a prayer room at the Illinois State Capitol Building near the rotunda in the current and ongoing renovations of the North Wing.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 23-6)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-26 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tim Ozinga [HR0495 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0495-Introduced.html

---

HR0495 LRB103 35211 LAW 65192 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Faith in God is an inalienable right to all of
those who believe in the teachings of a higher being; and
WHEREAS, Our Founding Fathers understood the importance of
faith in God when writing the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing
the freedom of religion for all citizens; and
WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln immortalized the phrase "this
nation, under God" in the Gettysburg Address, enshrining our
nation during its darkest moment in "a new birth of freedom";
and
WHEREAS, Prayer has always played an important role in the
foundation of the American way of life and has helped form the
solid basis of cultural harmony and civility, which is evident
in The Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag and on our
currency; and
WHEREAS, Knowing of the cultural and spiritual harmony
that faith brings to all who believe, it should be this
chamber's responsibility to again provide a room of worship to
General Assembly members, guests, and visitors of the Illinois
State Capitol Building; and

HR0495 - 2 - LRB103 35211 LAW 65192 r
WHEREAS, In 1985, then-Speaker Michael J. Madigan
introduced HR 408, which designated a room as a prayer room on
the first floor of the State Capitol Building; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the ensuing years, the prayer room was
utilized by various General Assembly members, regardless of
their philosophical, political, or religious differences, who
sought a place where worship was welcomed; and
WHEREAS, Sadly, the prayer room was removed during a
renovation of the West Wing, and a new prayer room was never
designated nor established; and
WHEREAS, Without a dedicated room of worship, our State
Capitol Building is similar to most state capitol buildings;
in fact, in the Midwest, the only state to have a dedicated
room of worship in its capitol building is the State of
Indiana; and
WHEREAS, In the U.S. Capitol Building, a room set apart
for prayer and meditation is near the rotunda to be used
primarily by members of Congress who wish to withdraw and seek
divine strength and guidance, both in public affairs and in
their own personal matters; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Capitol Building's prayer room was

HR0495 - 3 - LRB103 35211 LAW 65192 r
established during the 83rd Congress of the United States,
pursuant to U.S. House Concurrent Resolution 60 in 1953 and
U.S. Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 in 1954; and
WHEREAS, The legality of a prayer room in the State
Capitol Building was previously justified through the 1988
court case decision of Van Zandt v. Thompson in the 7th Circuit
of the U.S. Court of Appeals and within the Illinois State
Constitution, thereby reiterating that no there is no legal
jeopardy and that the establishment clause has not been
violated; and
WHEREAS, The Preamble of the Constitution of the State of
Illinois reads, "We, the People of the State of Illinois -
grateful to the Almighty God for the civil, political and
religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and
seeking His blessing upon our endeavors," further setting the
stage for such a room; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of such a room, because of its
universality, is within the provisions of Section 3 of Article
X of the Illinois State Constitution, where the use of public
funds for sectarian purposes is forbidden in that no state
funds shall be allocated for "anything in aid of any church or
sectarian purpose"; and

HR0495 - 4 - LRB103 35211 LAW 65192 r
WHEREAS, The concept is consistent with the provisions of
subsection (a) of Section 1 of Article VIII of the Illinois
State Constitution, which provides that "Public funds,
property or credit shall be used only for public purposes", as
the facility will be made available to the people of the State
of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, Both the Illinois House and Senate routinely open
all Sessions with prayer by a diverse group of faith leaders
and pastors from across Illinois; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we request the reestablishment of a prayer room at the
Illinois State Capitol Building near the rotunda in the
current and ongoing renovations of the North Wing.