SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate overwhelmingly voted to oppose the government creating a database to track people by their religion, sending a message to the White House and Washington that the Land of Lincoln won’t be part of such narrow-minded politics.

“With this, Illinois sends a message. The government forcing people to register their religion is fundamentally un-American. It conjures up ugly imagery of the past that should never be repeated,” said Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton, the lead sponsor of the legislation opposing religious registries.

Cullerton’s proposal – Senate bill 3488 – comes in response to anti-Muslim rhetoric from then-candidate and now-President Donald Trump. The legislation simply states that Illinois would not participate in any such database or registry of faith followers.

The proposal passed the Senate 39-0. It now advances to the Illinois House.