The Americans United for Separation of Church and State say an Illinois Catholic bishop may have put the church's tax-exempt status in jeopardy.

During a Sunday homily Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky compared President Barack Obama's health care policies to actions taken by Adolf Hitler. Americans United for Separation of Church and State officials say the Internal Revenue Service should investigate the diocese for "illegal electioneering." They say that's because the bishop made his comparison "as part of an election-year appeal."

According to the group, the bishop's comments amount to an "order to vote against Obama."

Churches are allowed to engage in a wide range of political activities and the IRS rarely revokes a church's tax-exempt status.