Whitney leads atheist's lawsuit against state construction grants for religious facilities

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney, an attorney from Carbondale, is representing one of the state's most outspoken atheists, Rob Sherman, in the case, which seeks to stop about $2.3 billion worth of funding for construction projects. The money is part of the Illinois' $31 billion capital construction plan that was approved by the General Assembly last year…..Sherman is challenging 176 grants, most of them going to religious organizations, to help build houses of worship, parochial schools and religious ministries. The case notes that the Illinois Constitution prohibits the state from granting money to local churches for any purpose.

lawsuit names Gov. Pat Quinn as a defendant, saying the governor was allowed unconstitutional authority to spend a grant worth $2.23 billion as he sees fit. The grant is the largest one listed in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit states the move is in violation of the constitution because all appropriations must be approved by the General Assembly.

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