Kankakee Times

The Liberty Justice Center has filed suit on behalf of six nurses now suing Riverside Healthcare over his vaccine mandates.

“I believe I am called to love and serve my patients, especially those who are frail and vulnerable,” Neelie Panozzo, one of the plaintiffs who has been with Riverside for 24-years, said in the statement. “I am also following my faith’s teachings when I say I cannot accept this vaccine. I am ashamed that Riverside will not respect my sincere beliefs and instead insists on firing all of its employees who sought conscience protections.”

All of the six nurses now face termination after citing “conscientious objections” in refusing to take the vaccine.

In filing the suit in the 21st Circuit Court of Kankakee earlier this month, Liberty argued that Riverside’s blanket denial of all vaccine exemptions is in clear violation of the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act. In addition, they also argue that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s executive order enacting the mandate also allows for certain exemptions. Five of the nurses have until Oct. 31 to get vaccinated or lose their jobs, while the other was formally let go back in September.

“This is a ruthless overreach aimed at coercing front line workers to do something they sincerely believe is wrong,” Daniel Suhr, managing attorney at LJC, said in a statement. “These nurses know the virus better than anyone and are making a deeply personal, individual choice that should be respected. Not only is that the right thing to do, but it’s Illinois law.”

Late in September, Riverside President and CEO Phil Kambic insisted the opposition to the vaccine had “taken [him] a bit by surprise.”

He later added “I believe our community expects that when their loved ones are in our care, that the caregiver is fully vaccinated as one step of many to provide that safe environment.”

Liberty attorneys are seeking to have the court safeguard rights established through the Illinois Health Care Rights of Conscience Act that they argue outline “an individualized assessment for an exemption based on sincere religious beliefs” and the “right to fair standards for determining an employee’s sincere beliefs.”

In some ways, Suhr views it all as a level of disrespect.

“These nurses worked throughout the pandemic, putting their lives and their families’ lives on the line,” he said. “They were celebrated as ‘essential workers’ and ‘heroes’ for their courage – and rightly so. And now, 20 months into the pandemic, Riverside Healthcare is showing them the door unless they violate their religious beliefs and their conscience. This is a ruthless overreach aimed at coercing front line workers to do something they sincerely believe is wrong.”