Click here for a copy of a letter from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) explaining how a religious exemption should be written.

Also, they have sent a copy of the memo that the IDPH sent to schools to help the school distinguish between a religious exemption, which is allowable, and a philosophical exemption, which is not.
 

An acceptable religious exemption uses one or more of the words "higher power, scripture, spiritual belief, or prayer". Click here to view the fax from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

Day-Care and College Exemptions
Excerpts from Illinois Department of Public Health's June 7, 2000, letter to IVAC regarding child care and college vaccine exemptions.
Section seven of the Child Care Act of 1969 {225 ILCS 10/7} provides the Illinois Department of Public Health with the statutory authority to establish immunization requirements for children attending child care facilities. This Section specifically states that children may be exempt to immunization if the "parents object thereto on the grounds that they conflict with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious organization, of which the parent is an adherent or member". The wording of the religious objection in the Immunization Code/Part 695 is consistent with that stated in the Child Care Act of 1969.

The specific language of the religious exemption in the College Immunization Code, which is similar to that for children attending child care facilities, was adopted from a recommendation of the college immunization task force. It was the opinion of the task force that the current language of the religious exemption was necessary to ensure that colleges interpret the rule in a uniform and consistent manner throughout the State.

The Department does not define "recognized church" or "religious organization"; the College Immunization Code authorizes an institution, such as a college, to maintain records, to allow students or parents/legal guardians of minor students to object to the requirements based upon individual beliefs that immunization conflicts with the free exercise of their religious beliefs. Colleges usually interpret "recognized church: or religious organization" to mean that the objection should include a statement that the individual's beliefs follow a religious doctrine whose teachings are opposed to immunization. It is the responsibility of each day care center or college to determine validity of the religious exemption statement submitted to the day care center or college.

The Illinois Department of Public Health supports changing the college religious vaccine exemption to conform with the elementary religious vaccine exemption. The State Board of Health is in the process of holding hearings to achieve this goal and is expected to vote in December. IVAC agrees with this decision and would like to see the day-care issue addressed.