Illinois Public Act 99-024 requires parents and legal guardians who object to vaccinating their students for religious reasons to submit a Certificate of Religious Exemption signed by a health care provider. Previously, a parent could simply submit a statement of objection.

Parents or legal guardians who are requesting a religious exemption to immunizations or examinations must use this form for students entering kindergarten, sixth, or ninth grades. A separate form must be used for each child with a religious exemption enrolled to enter any public, charter, private or parochial preschool, kindergarten, elementary, or secondary school. This form may not be used for exemptions from immunizations and/or examination for personal or philosophical reasons. Illinois law does not allow for such exemptions.

To submit an exemption: 

• Complete the parent/guardian sections, which include key information about the student and the school the student will be entering, and the immunizations or examinations for which religious exemption is being requested.
• Provide a statement of religious belief(s) for each vaccination/examination requested.
• Have the form signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian and the child’s healthcare provider responsible for performing the child’s health examination.
• Submit the completed form to the school district office on or before October 15 of the school year.