Several pastors in Illinois sued the state [complaint] Thursday claiming its ban on the practice of gay conversion therapy on minors violates free speech and religious rights. Illinois is one of five state in the nation to ban such practices, a legal implementation supported by President Barack Obama [JURIST report]. The Illinois law, The Youth Mental Health Protection Act [materials], prohibits pastors from portraying homosexuality as a mental disorder in relation to sexual orientation change efforts. The law also bans therapists and counselors from trying to change the sexual orientation of minors. The practice of gay conversion therapy has been criticized as “scientifically questionable.”

In 2015 Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner [official website] signed the Youth Mental Health Protection Act into law [JURIST report]. State Senator Daniel Biss [official website], one of the sponsors of the legislation, released a statement [statement] calling the bill an important step in protecting young people and explained that many medical professionals believe conversion therapy can cause depression and risk of suicide. The bill became effective on January 1, making Illinois the fourth state after California, Oregon and New Jersey to ban similar therapy.