Illinois Governor Vetoes Bill Requiring Public Facilities to Serve Kosher, Halal Meals

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) has vetoed a bill that would have mandated public facilities to provide halal and kosher meals to students, inmates, hospital patients, and others.

The Faith by Plate Act, which had the support of many Orthodox Jews and religious Muslims, would have required state-owned or state-operated facilities such as schools, prisons, and hospitals that provide food services to offer halal and kosher options upon request when provided with notice.

However, Pritzker said in a veto message issued on Friday and shared with The Algemeiner that the measure would have the state board of education play too large a role in school lunch programs.

“The bill would have amended the School Code to require the Illinois State Board of Education enter into a statewide master contract to provide religious dietary options to all Illinois school districts,” Pritzker wrote. “Districts are already responsible for all their food service contracts and will continue to have the capability to enter into contracts with meal vendors based on the unique cultural needs of the students in their communities.”

Pritzker added that local policy on religious dietary accommodations is based on guidance issued by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.

The Illinois chapter of Agudath Israel of America (AIOI), an umbrella group for Orthodox communities in the US, criticized Pritzker’s decision, arguing the bill stood to make Illinois the only state to “mandate such accommodations” and demonstrate a commitment to embracing cultural diversity.

“Agudath Israel of Illinois is disappointed with Governor Pritzker’s veto of legislation that would have paved the way for students, hospital patients, and incarcerated individuals to access meals that comply with their dietary religious restrictions,” the group said in a statement. “AIOI has worked closely with stakeholders to ensure all faith-based communities have access to food that complies with their religious convictions and remains committed to achieving that goal.”

Lawmakers initially proposed the bill at the urging of Muslim and Jewish parents who had to scrupulously check the lunch menus of their childrens’ schools for dishes not prepared in accordance with dietary standards set by their faiths.

In February, AIOI Rabbi Shlomo Soroka told the Chicago Tribune that securing the accommodations required an interfaith effort.

“It’s only natural that we should be supporting each other,” he said.

Follow Dion J. Pierre @DionJPierre.

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