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Chicago Says It Will Take Necessary Measures to Shut Down Church Services of Over 10 People

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The Chicago Health Department Commissioner has told the Elim Pentecostal Church and other Romanian churches that if they do not stop holding services of more than 10 people in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions, the city “will take all necessary measures to abate the nuisance to ensure the safety of the City’s residents,” CNS News reported on May 27.”

In a letter to Elim Pastor Cristian Ionescu dated May 22, Commissioner Allison Arwady noted that the city had lost three faith leaders to coronavirus “and many more congregants who have been linked to churches with clusters outbreaks.”

Arwady continued: “You were reported to have gatherings far in excess of ten individuals allowed by the Executive Order. Given the heightened risk of spread of COVID19 in gatherings of 10 of more, you are hereby ordered to abate immediately. You are prohibited from having any in-person gatherings contrary to the Executive Order. You are required to cancel all gatherings contrary to the law.”

“If you continue to host gatherings in violation of the Executive Order, the City of Chicago will take all necessary measures to abate the nuisance to ensure the safety of the City’s residents,” Arwady said.
The Liberty Counsel, which has represented churches in COVID-19 related religious freedom disputes, explained what was meant by the term “abate,” CNS reported.

“According to the Illinois Supreme Court, ‘Summary abatement would mean to put down or destroy without process. This means the inspector can, upon his own judgment, cause the alleged nuisance to stop on his own authority and effect a destruction of property at his discretion,” Liberty Counsel said.