CHICAGO (WKOW) — A health care system that runs hospitals and clinics in Wisconsin and Illinois has agreed to pay mor than $1 million to settle allegations of religious discrimination related to its COVID-19 vaccine policy.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the deal Wednesday. In addition to the payment, Mercyhealth also agreed to reinstate employees who were terminated for refusing the vaccine due to religious beliefs.

The EEOC's investigation found Mercyhealth discriminated against employees by denying religious accommodations and either terminating the employees or deducting $60 from their paychecks as a "vaccine incentive charge" each month. The alleged discrimination affected employees across all facilities from September 2021 to May 2022.

"At the st

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