SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — On the same day the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 141 deaths of Illinoisans diagnosed with Covid-19, a church in northwest Illinois lodged a federal lawsuit against Gov. JB Pritzker, alleging his stay-at-home order violated its pastor’s religious freedom.

In response, Pritzker’s administration inserted language into the governor’s new stay-at-home order that goes into effect Friday, specifying that Illinoisans may leave their homes “to engage in the free exercise of religion, provided that such exercise must comply with Social Distancing Requirements and the limit on gatherings of more than 10 people in keeping with CDC guidelines for the protection of public health.”

Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said the language was added to “clarify” that places of worship can meet if they follow social distancing and CDC guidelines.

Earlier on Thursday, Pritzker responded to the suit filed on behalf of a church in the northwestern Illinois town of Lena by asking faith leaders to “put the health and safety of their congregants first.” He added, “Everybody has the right to sue.”

Churches were not technically closed by the previous stay-at-home orders, but they were prohibited from holding large gatherings, per CDC guidelines.