August 10, 2017

HUGE Free-Speech Win in Illinois, Where State is Trying to Force Pro-Lifers to Refer for Abortions

Illinois State Capitol Building
In July a federal judge in Illinois handed down a major victory for religious conscience and free speech protection, granting a statewide preliminary injunction against a 2016 law change that would force pro-life medical providers to refer patients to abortion businesses upon request.

Though the law has not yet been enforced despite a January 2017 effective date, the state’s 147 pro-life pregnancy centers—at least 74 of which offer free ultrasounds—have been vulnerable to the state’s demands for nearly seven months.

Gutting provisions previously enshrined in Illinois’ Healthcare Right of Conscience Act—once considered the gold standard of freedom protections in the U.S.—the 2016 change would have forced pro-life medical professionals of all kinds to cultivate a list of known abortion mills in their area to hand to patients.

The change—which was signed into law by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner—also threatened to force pro-life medicos and pregnancy centers alike to counsel patients as to the so-called “benefits” of abortion.

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