Frazee v. Illinois Department of Employment Security

489 U.S. 829 (1989)

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Frazee v. Illinois Department of Employment Security

United States Supreme Court
489 U.S. 829 (1989)

SC

Facts

Frazee (plaintiff), a Christian, believed that people should not work on Sundays. Frazee turned down a temporary retail job because it would have required him to work on Sundays. Frazee subsequently applied to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (defendant) for unemployment benefits. Frazee claimed that there was good cause for his refusal to work on Sundays. The department denied Frazee’s application. Frazee brought a First Amendment claim against the State of Illinois, arguing that the department violated his First Amendment right to not work on Sundays. The trial and appellate courts ruled in favor of the State of Illinois. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (White, J.)

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