Section 2425.80  Religious Items

a)         Committed youth may obtain religious symbols, clothing and other items in accordance with this Part and Departmental rules governing purchasing, incoming mail, and personal property (see 20 Ill. Adm. Code 2305 (Funds of Committed Youth), 2525 (Rights and Privileges), and 2535 (Personal Property)) or through the chaplain.

b)         Committed youth shall be permitted to have up to two traditionally accepted religious symbols or religious symbols that have been authorized by the Director and that represent their designated faith.   These may include, but not be limited to, medals, medallions, scapulars or prayer beads.

c)         Religious items may be limited, restricted or denied by the Chief Administrative Officer based upon concerns such as safety, security, rehabilitation, institutional order, space, resources or facilitation of gang identification, recruitment or activity.

1)         Certain items, such as candles and incense, shall be restricted by the Chief Administrative Officer or chaplain to use for religious activities only.  These items shall be stored in a designated area of the youth center and shall be available upon request for use during approved religious activities held in the chapel or other designated common area.

2)         Religious symbols shall not exceed two inches in height or width.  The chain upon which a medal or medallion is attached shall not exceed 24 inches in length.  The combined value of the medal or medallion and chain shall not exceed $50.

3)         The Department may restrict the color of religious items.

4)         Rosary beads shall be a solid color, either black, brown or white, and shall not be permitted to be worn as jewelry.

5)         Medals or medallions shall not contain precious gems or stones.

6)         Medals or medallions shall not be of a design that could be used as a weapon or to conceal contraband.

7)         Religious symbols attached to pins shall not be permitted.

8)         Prayer rugs may be permitted if utilized as a component of the committed youth's faith but will be limited to the immediate living area during prayer or the area of religious service.

d)         Committed youth may wear articles of religious clothing, including but not limited to robes, prayer shawls or talits, only in their immediate sleeping areas during prayer or in the area of religious service if verification is submitted that the clothing is worn as a component of their religion.

e)         The wearing of religious headgear, including but not limited to fezzes, kufis and yarmulkes, shall be limited only to the committed youth's immediate sleeping area during prayer and to the area of religious service, provided that verification is submitted that the wearing of the religious headgear is required by the committed youth's designated faith.

(Source:  Amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 14183, effective November 25, 2019)