A woman in the second row made a sound that wasn’t quite a gasp when the judge concluded reading his ruling and dismissed all fourteen lawsuits against the daycare run by the church. Something heavier was involved. The sound a person makes when they realize their trusted system has silently shut down.

The decision was based on a peculiarity in Illinois law that had been hidden from the public for many years until a case like this brought it to light. In the state, religious daycares are subject to fewer regulations than secular ones, and these same protections frequently reappear in court documents when lawsuits are filed. Most parents might not be aware of this. On the steps of the courthouse afterward, many expressed the same sentiment, their voices tight with the kind of rage that takes years to fully develop.

The families feel that the decision had nothing to do with the law. It had to do with something more ancient and difficult to identify. Speaking to a small group of reporters, one mother explained that she had picked the daycare because it felt secure. The building featured a handmade wooden cross above the front desk, a small garden close to the entrance, and a playground out back. Almost unconsciously, she brought up the cross twice. She claimed that trust had been ingrained in the walls.

The complaints themselves were not all the same. Some claimed that the supervision was insufficient. Others detailed injuries that, according to the families, went unreported for days. The daycare’s lawyers did not directly refute the claims made by some that the employees had been hired without conducting thorough background checks during the hearings. Instead, they contended that the facility was exempt from the specific claims being made due to its religious status. The judge concurred. A written order doesn’t indicate whether he consented voluntarily or reluctantly.

Similar discussions have previously taken place in Illinois, albeit infrequently on this scale. Advocates who contend that a child’s safety shouldn’t be dependent on whether the building next door has a steeple have long criticized the state’s religious-exemption childcare policy.

Others argue against it, pointing to the long history of faith-based community care and the actual risk that stricter regulations could lead to the closure of small, reliable programs. There is merit to both arguments. For a parent who has already lost something, neither provides much solace.

It was difficult to ignore how quietly the families moved as they left the courthouse that afternoon. Nobody yelled. There were no speeches. They just strolled toward their cars at the leisurely, slow pace of those who are already considering their next move.

We are preparing an appeal. Although things tend to move slowly in Springfield and reform-minded bills have a tendency to stall once the cameras leave, a state senator has indicated interest in drafting new legislation.

For its part, the daycare is still open. During a recent afternoon visit, there was a small line of parents waiting to be picked up; some were chatting, while others were looking at their phones. In that little part of Illinois, life goes on. Even though it’s hard to quantify, something has changed. There is a sense that the case has been put on hold rather than truly concluded. Additionally, the parents who were defeated in court this spring appear committed to spreading the word throughout the entire state.

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