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

August 16, 2023: from the Algemeiner:

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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."