IL Gov. J.B. Pritzker reinstated IL shutdowns this week, but only on conservative and swing counties, and just one week before the election.  Romanian immigrant Pastor Christian Ionescu has seen this show before, and he has issued a dire warning for all Americans. Please read on. -Mat

Eight months after IL Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “two weeks to flatten the curve” announcement, the wayward governor is returning parts of Illinois to the harsh restrictions that have killed the state’s economy and robbed its citizens of their most basic rights.

Curiously, with just one week to go before the biggest election in our lifetime, and just two weeks after we submitted our case defending Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church of Chicago to the Supreme Court for full review, these rollbacks on freedom are only imposed on the conservative and swing voting counties of the state.

Beginning Friday, October 23, 2020, DuPage, Kane, Will and Kankakee counties, along with 20 additional counties in Illinois’ conservative “Region 5,” were forced to return to “Phase 3” shutdowns limiting all gatherings to 25 people or less.

Liberty Counsel’s client, Pastor Cristian Ionescu, has a warning for ALL Americans:

Marxists, wherever they gain influence, always go after the church first in order to eliminate opposition for the abject tyranny that always accompanies their rule.

Pastor Cristian says growing up in Communist Romania was like living inside a tightening noose. This courageous pastor, who barely survived communist persecution, sees the same noose tightening here in America.

In Romania, the communists used widespread propaganda and violent campaigns to put the whole society in fear. Then the Communists would engage in a series of increasingly drastic measures designed to force compliance.

Pastor Ionescu says the actions of IL Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot chillingly resemble the very same oppression he and his parishioners suffered in Communist Romania.

First, fear.

When the COVID crisis began, Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church willingly closed, out of an abundance of caution for its parishioners, as well as in respect for the “two weeks to flatten the curve” announcement by Illinois officials.

But when Pritzker later announced that secular services like big-box retailers and marijuana stores could open, but churches would likely be severely restricted for one year or more, Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church said ENOUGH!

The church was professionally sanitized top to bottom. Masks, face shields, gloves and sanitizer were bought in bulk. Sanctuary seats were taped off so that no one could sit closer than six feet apart. In fact, the church went well above and beyond the safety measures used by the “essential services” Pritzker allowed to be open.

But instead of commending Elim’s safe and sanitary model, Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot decided to attack the church.

Then, they punish neighbors.

In the early hours of the morning before Elim Pentecostal Church was to re-open, Mayor Lightfoot towed the neighbors’ cars legally parked on streets for nine blocks around the church. Neighborhood car owners received an impoundment letter informing the owner that their vehicle had been towed, not for anything they did wrong, but because the church was meeting with more than 10 people.

Then, the bullies blocked access to the church’s parking lot.

By the evening service, Mayor Lightfoot sent five marked police cars to block every entrance to Elim’s private parking lot to scare attendees away. No matter, the parishioners simply parked farther away and walked.

Next, they threatened to take Pastor Ionescu’s freedom.

When it became clear the people of Elim would not be frightened into submission, Mayor Lightfoot then charged Pastor Ionescu with two Disorderly Conduct charges. But Pastor Cristian’s only “crime” was opening his church with more than 10 people attending. Again, the church refused to close.

Then, they tried to get the pastor “on their side.”

After threatening Pastor Ionescu’s freedom, Mayor Lightfoot offered a “meeting” with the pastor. Pastor Ionescu told the mayor’s office he would attend ONLY if his Liberty Counsel attorney was present. The mayor promptly cancelled.

And then, they threatened to SEIZE AND DESTROY ALL CHURCH PROPERTY.

Foiled again, Mayor Lightfoot doubled down. The church received an official notice from the Chicago Health Department threatening to immediately and without notice seize and destroy all church buildings and property!

Pastor Cristian Ionescu, along with most of the immigrant members of Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church, had already LIVED through this kind of persecution under a communist regime. They, better than anyone, knew exactly where this trail of tyranny leads.

The persecution against pastors and churches MUST STOP!

This case is the first church closure case presented to the U.S. Supreme Court for full review. And we still have our cases for churches in Maine, Virginia, Kentucky, Colorado and California continuing. This will be a long fight, but we are absolutely committed to ensuring that America’s religious freedom remains FREE.

Please, take advantage of the special challenge grant which will DOUBLE the impact of your donation. Your help in defending religious freedom is needed NOW!

Mat Staver
Founder and Chairman

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