ILLINOIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
State Rep. Terri Bryant – 115th District
618-684-1100 or 618-242-8115
RepBryant.com   Bryant@ILHouseGOP.org

May 6, 2020
Governor JB Pritzker
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Dear Governor Pritzker,
I have now had some time to review your multi-phase plan to ‘reopen’ Illinois. Your ‘Restore Illinois’ plan,
though I believe is based on what you think is the best way forward, is riddled with seriously fatal flaws.
To that end, I am writing to you specifically regarding your ‘phase-in’ plan allowing for religious gatherings.
As State Representative, I take an oath of office to uphold both the United States and Illinois Constitutions. I
cannot both comply with my oath and your phase-in plan. I strongly believe your powers cannot supersede
my right as an American citizen to gather peacefully with fellow believers to freely worship and exercise my
religion.
Your 5-phase plan does not allow for gatherings of more than 50 people until “Phase 5”. That, to me, is
completely unacceptable. If my church calls for a regular in-person worship service prior to the state reaching
Phase 5, I can guarantee that I will be one of the first parishioners through the doors.
Quite simply, when it comes to your plan for how I am ‘allowed’ to worship, I will not comply.
As a law-abiding, free American citizen, I know that my right to worship God in a corporate, communal way
with fellow believers cannot be snuffed out by you or any other elected official.
I believe in the creativity, ingenuity, and spirit of the people of Illinois and freedom-loving, god-fearing
Americans everywhere. I know we can reopen our religious institutions in a safe, practical, reasonable way
long before your arbitrary timeline allows. I will not comply with orders that stamp out my rights, or the right
of my fellow free American citizens to gather and worship God how we see fit.
Sincerely,

Terri Bryant
State Representative – 115th District