NEWS SHORTS FOR TUESDAY

NEWS SHORTS FOR TUESDAY (Referral to Web sites not produced by The Illinois Federation for Right to LIfe is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.) Planned Parenthood Says It Will Expand Lot In Aurora Planned Parenthood's parking lot, quite possibly Aurora's most controversial parking lot, will be expanding by 11 spaces. Aldermen voted 7 to 3 Tuesday to follow the Planning and Development Committee's recommendation of 11 new spaces, 16 fewer than the clinic said it needed to increase security for its employees and clients. A dozen abortion opponents, many who claim to spend several hours outside the clinic praying for and counseling the couples and women headed inside, argued they have caused no violence at the site since it opened two years ago and posed no threat. Click here for the full article. Deal Cut In Aurora Planned Parenthood Protests Suit AURORA -- Tonight, the City Council will have a chance to bring a two-year legal battle between the city and anti-abortion protesters to a close. In August of 2007, local group Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood filed suit in federal court, charging the city with infringing on the First Amendment rights of protesters rallying in front of Planned Parenthood's clinic on East New York Street. Since then, the two sides have been hammering out an agreement that would regulate protests there, and still preserve the rights of those protesting. According to attorneys from both sides, a settlement was reached last week, and presented to Judge Virginia Kendall on Monday morning. Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society, representing the protesters, said Kendall "strongly recommended" the council approve the agreement. Click here for the full article. Chicago Tribune Examines Long Debate Over Illinois Law On Parental Notification For Abortion The Chicago Tribune on Sunday examined the "long and complicated" history of Illinois' more than 30-year debate over parental notification for minors seeking abortions. Most recently, a Cook County Circuit Court judge blocked enforcement of a 1995 law that was set to take effect last week. The American Civil Liberties Union has questioned whether the law violates state constitutional protections on privacy and gender equality. Illinois' first attempt at parental involvement, a provision of the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975, would have required unmarried minors to obtain consent of one parent prior to an abortion, unless a doctor certified that the procedure was "necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother." Courts ruled the provision unconstitutional because the state lacked the authority to give "absolute veto power" to parents. Click here for the full article. Pro-Abort HuffPo Writer Rips NARAL and PP for Pro-Life Victory in Health Bill PP points finger at U.S. Bishops, calls pro-life stance "unconscionable power play"   In a piece published on the Huffington Post website on Monday, one prominent pro-abortion writer has issued a stinging criticism of Planned Parenthood and NARAL following the pro-life amendment victory in the health care bill on Saturday, complaining that the abortion leaders have been more faithful to the Democratic Party than their pro-abortion ideals. "Let's be clear about this," wrote Jane Hamsher, the founder and publisher of the blog FireDogLake.  "The only reason that we are in [this] position ... is because Planned Parenthood and NARAL have allowed it to happen." Click here for the full article. Man Confesses to Shooting Kansas Abortion Provider Wichita, Kansas - The man accused of shooting a Kansas abortion provider has confessed to the killing to The Associated Press, saying he has no regrets.   In a telephone call from jail Monday, Scott Roeder told the AP: "Because of the fact pre-born children's lives were in imminent danger, this was the action I chose."   The 51-year-old Kansas City man is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in the May 31 shooting of Dr. George Tiller at the abortion provider's Wichita church. Click here for the full article. Spanish pro-life leader says abortion still a concern in Spain Zaragoza, Spain - Speaking at the fourth International Pro-Life Congress which began on November 6, president of the Spanish Federation of Pro-Life Associations Alicia Latorre noted that abortion is the "gravest problem that Spain is facing"  and charged, "We will nto rest until there are no abortions."   During the Congress's first press conference, Latorre said, "The debate on abortion is not over; it is an issue of critical importance today."  "There is no room for reproaching or criticizing anybody because lives that have been lost cannot be regained.  Rather, positive ideas for the future that involve society in supporting pregnant women ought to be put forth."   Attributing the slight decrease in the number of abortions in Spain in 2008 to the work of pro-life organizations, Torres added, "We will not rest until there are no abortions." Click here for the full article.