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Senate Bill 457 passed the Senate during the fall veto session
after being brought forward by state Sen. Ram Villivalam,
D-Chicago. The measure also provides a misdemeanor penalty for
those in violation.
State Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, had issues with the
penalties during debates.
"There are some issues in the bill, number one, there are some
penalties involved in the bill, misdemeanors," Bryant said.
"There are differences in how those who have violations in
kosher are charged as opposed to those who have violations in
halal."
The
measure states that any false representation of kosher food
would become a Class C misdemeanor on the first violation, and a
second would lead to an increased charge to a Class B
misdemeanor. Halal food carries a harsher penalty, starting at
Class B, which some believe is unconstitutional.
"You have two foundational constitution problems," said state
Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet. "You are now saying that somehow
the Jews are different from the Muslims in how you are
sentencing them."
Villivalam said the penalties have been in place for some time
but he is willing to work to provide a solution that works for
everyone.
"The halal food act and the kosher food act has been existing
law," Villivalam said. "The discrepancy that exists between the
misdemeanors has been there, and certainly I would love to work
with you on that during the spring session to address that."
The bill is now up for concurrence in the Illinois House.
Lawmakers return on Nov. 7.
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