East Central Reporter

Illinois gubernatorial candidate Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) labelled Gov. J.B. Pritzker "the mandate candidate" for his support of mandatory COVID-19 vaccines.

"It’s not about a vaccine, it’s about freedom," Bailey tweeted. "The mandate candidate, @JBPritzker is acting like a tyrant & overstepping his power. These decisions should be between you & your doctor, and the government is not your doctor. Keep standing for freedom."

Bailey's criticism followed a class-action lawsuit over the mandates filed Dec. 13 by 88 educators and school staff members of the Pritzker's mandates on vaccination, testing and masks, the Illinois Public Policy Institute reported.

The suit claims the mandates violate Illinois' Health Care Right of Conscience Act.

“The educators object to the vaccination and testing of the coronavirus as both health care services violate their moral  conscience,” the  lawsuit states. “Should the educators object to these  proposed health care services, the law prohibits the defendants from  discriminating  against them.”

Pritzker, several state agencies and 22 school districts are named in the suit, the Institute said. 

On Nov. 8, Prtizker signed an amendment to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act which allows employers to discipline employees for refusing to comply with  COVID-19 rules, the Institute said. Changes don't take effect until June 1.

Pritzker said the amendment clarifies “the legislative intent of the Health Care Right of Conscience Act so that it cannot be abused  or misinterpreted to jeopardize workplace safety,” according to the Policy Institute.