The United States is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. In light of history of devastation caused due to hatred fueled by religious intolerance, U.S. has devised various laws and regulations to protect rights of different religious groups. Unfortunately, religious discrimination is still prevailing in the United States, especially against minorities. Religious discrimination refers to unfavorable and unjust treatment against an individual due to their religious background.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) protects people who belong from an organized, traditional religion such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism, amongst others. Moreover, it also provides protection to people who have specifically held ethical, moral, or religious beliefs.
Most common occurrences of religious discrimination are usually observed in a workplace. This may include many aspects including promotion, hiring, training, assignments, holidays, amongst different terms and conditions pertaining to employment. Moreover, Title VII also prohibits employers to assign an employee from a particular religious background to a position where they will not interact because of customer preference.
That is not it, law also requires an employer to make necessary modifications to policies and adjustments to work environment that will facilitate employees to practice their respective religion without discomfort and problem. In addition to that, they must allow employees to dress and groom per accordance to their religion. For instance, Muslim women must be permitted to wear a scarf and men may keep long beards. Similarly, Sikhs may wear a turban and keep uncut hair and beards. To conclude, an employer must provide reasonable accommodation to their employees as long as it does not cause them undue hardship.
Unfortunately, religious discrimination is not only limited to workplace environment but different aspects of one’s life. For instance, an individual may also be discriminated due to their faith when purchasing a house, shop, or other type of property. Moreover, harassment can also take place in stores, malls, and even streets, which involves making offensive remarks about one’s belief, showing hatred towards their religion, and in some extreme cases, creating a hostile environment for them.
Religious discrimination continues to be a significant concern in Illinois, despite the state’s robust legal framework designed to protect religious liberty. In recent years, while Illinois has been recognized for its commitment to safeguarding religious freedoms, ongoing challenges persist, particularly in the realms of employment, education, and public accommodations. This detailed overview delves into the specific statistics, emerging trends, and areas that require improvement, drawing from comprehensive reports and surveys conducted in 2025.
In the realm of religious liberty, Illinois achieved a commendable ranking of #1 in the Religious Liberty in the States (RLS) index during both 2023 and 2024. However, the state experienced a decline to #3 in 2025. This dip was not a reflection of diminished protections, but rather indicative of a lack of new legislative initiatives while other states made significant advancements in their protections. Illinois continues to uphold a variety of robust safeguards, including:
Conscience Protections for Healthcare Workers – These provisions allow healthcare professionals to decline participation in procedures that conflict with their religious beliefs without facing repercussions.
Religious Exemptions in Education – Students are permitted to request accommodations for religious practices, including the observance of certain religious holidays and the wearing of religious attire.
Ceremonial Protections for Religious Observance – Legislation ensures that specific religious ceremonies and services are respected within various public and private institutions.
However, a notable gap exists as Illinois has yet to enact laws that protect houses of worship from being subjected to mandatory closures by government authorities during public emergencies. This oversight has contributed to Illinois’s reduced score of 69% in the 2025 RLS index, falling behind Florida, which scored 75%, and Montana, which scored 70%.
To understand the discrimination landscape, it is crucial to examine the state’s diverse religious demographics:
Christians – Comprising 62% of adults in Illinois, this group includes Evangelical Protestants (16%), Mainline Protestants (13%), and Catholics (23%).
Other Religions – Approximately 8% of the population identifies with religions other than Christianity, including Muslims (3%), Jews (2%), Buddhists (1%), and Hindus (1%).
Religiously Unaffiliated – A significant portion of the population, 29%, identifies as religiously unaffiliated, which includes Atheists (5%), Agnostics (5%), and those who claim “Nothing in particular” (19%).
This rich tapestry of religious affiliations highlights Illinois as one of the most religiously diverse states in the Midwest. The diversity has been bolstered by immigration and generational changes, resulting in an evolving religious landscape that requires continual assessment and protection against discrimination.
While comprehensive state-level statistics regarding religious discrimination are somewhat limited, data provided by federal and state agencies sheds some light on the issue:
The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) reported receiving over 300 discrimination complaints based on religion in 2024, with the majority of these complaints stemming from violations in the employment sector. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) indicated that religious discrimination represented about 4% of all workplace discrimination charges filed by residents of Illinois in 2024. Particularly concerning are reports from Muslim and Jewish communities, which indicate disproportionate experiences of harassment, denial of reasonable accommodations, and biases in hiring and promotional practices.
In educational settings, students from minority faiths have also reported various challenges, including:
Denial of Excused Absences – Many students have faced difficulties in obtaining excused absences for religious holidays, impacting their academic performance.
Restrictions on Religious Attire – Policies at some schools have resulted in restrictions on religious attire, such as hijabs for Muslim students and yarmulkes for Jewish students, leading to feelings of exclusion and discrimination.
Bullying and Exclusion – Reports of bullying or social exclusion based on religious identity have been prevalent among students, highlighting the need for more supportive and inclusive school environments.
Illinois law categorically prohibits religious discrimination across several sectors, including:
Victims of religious discrimination have avenues for redress, which may include filing complaints with the IDHR or pursuing federal claims through the EEOC.
Available remedies could include:
Back Pay and Reinstatement – Compensation for lost wages and reinstatement to former positions for those unlawfully terminated due to religious discrimination.
Damages for Emotional Distress – Financial compensation recognizing the emotional harm suffered due to discriminatory practices.
Policy Changes and Training Mandates – Reforms aimed at improving institutional policies and creating training programs to foster awareness of and compliance with religious discrimination laws.
Despite these legal protections, the enforcement of these laws can be slow and cumbersome. Many cases are resolved through mediation or settlement, often without public reporting, which complicates efforts to track systemic discriminatory patterns.
Despite a solid legal foundation, Illinois faces several enduring challenges concerning religious discrimination:
Underreporting – A significant number of victims, particularly those from immigrant or marginalized communities, remain silent about their experiences due to fear of retaliation, lack of awareness regarding their rights, or skepticism about the efficacy of reporting mechanisms.
Limited Legislative Momentum – Since 2022, Illinois has not enacted new religious liberty laws, while other states have been proactive in expanding protections in areas such as healthcare, education, and emergency situations.
Inconsistent Accommodations – The handling of religious requests varies widely among employers and educational institutions, leading to confusion, inconsistent treatment, and heightened discrimination risks.
Advocates for religious rights emphasize several critical steps to bolster protections against religious discrimination in Illinois:
Public Education and Awareness – There is a pressing need for expanded public education concerning religious rights and the procedures available for filing complaints or seeking justice.
Legislation for Emergency Protections – It is crucial to pass new laws that safeguard religious institutions from government action during emergencies, ensuring that all faith communities can continue to operate freely.
Increased Transparency in Reporting – Enhancing transparency in the reporting processes of the IDHR and EEOC will facilitate better tracking of discrimination cases.
Proactive Compliance Training – Promoting proactive compliance training for employers and educational entities can lead to a more informed public and workplace culture regarding religious tolerance and accommodations.
While Illinois maintains its status as a national leader in religious liberty, failing to adapt and respond to ongoing challenges puts the state’s vibrant religious diversity at risk. As society evolves, so too must the protections and awareness surrounding religious discrimination.
Sources:
https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/illinois/
https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/why-illinois-fell-to-3-understanding-the-shift-in-rls-2025/
If you believe you have been a victim of religious discrimination, it can be highly beneficial for you to obtain the legal services of an experienced employment discrimination lawyer. Your attorney will ensure that your rights remain protected during the course of the litigation process. A skillful employment discrimination lawyer will gather evidence to construct a solid case in your favor. Using their vast experience and knowledge pertaining to laws that are relevant to your case, a seasoned religious discrimination lawyer will establish facts and devise an effective strategy to prove your claim, which will help you to get justice.
If you want to know more about this subject or want to schedule a free consultation with an experienced employment discrimination lawyer, it is highly recommended for you to contact the Law Office of Michael Smith.
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