A settlement was reached this week that will allow a mobile, pro-life outreach to continue its mission: saving babies.
The city of Elgin, Ill., tried to shut down The Life Center (TLC) Pregnancy Services in 2012. Shortly after, TLC learned that the city council amended its zoning code to classify the outreach as a “temporary land use.” This limited the Life Center to only four uses per year at the location.
The RV outreach offers free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests and counseling.
“Our main concern was always having the freedom to park TLC’s ultrasound mobile unit in Elgin where the need is the greatest,” said TLC Executive Director Vivian Maly. “We now look ahead to serving the women and families in our community with the support of the leadership in the city of Elgin.”
In August 2013, a federal court found the city’s zoning code unconstitutional.
Wednesday’s settlement agreement means TLC can operate freely. It also means the city will amend its disputed zoning ordinance to benefit all charitable mobile services in Elgin—free of charge. The city will compensate the outreach for some of its attorneys’ fees. TLC did not seek or receive damages from the settlement other than partial reimbursement for its legal expenses.
“Women deserve access to the help they need for themselves and their unborn children without undue interference from the government,” said Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Casey Mattox. “We will continue to work with our allied attorneys around the nation to resist any efforts to stop pregnancy centers from offering help and hope to women.”
Contact: Bethany Monk, CitizenLink
