“The abortion industry has moved from ‘choice’ to coercion, actively manipulating the law to force pro-life people to comply with their deadly agenda,” said AUL’s Acting President Clarke Forsythe. “AUL applauds today’s lawsuit in Illinois, against an industry that harms both women and their unborn children.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. (08-05-15) – Pro-life advocates filed a lawsuit today to defend the constitutional rights of Illinois patients and healthcare providers who can be forced to promote abortion as a result of a new law, recently signed by Governor Bruce Rauner. Americans United for Life Acting President and Senior Counsel Clarke Forsythe noted that the law, formerly Senate Bill 1564, is detrimental to both healthcare providers and patients, violates people’s constitutional rights of conscience and free speech, and would force Pregnancy Care Centers to discuss so-called ‘benefits’ of abortion and refer for or provide information on where to obtain abortions. Doctors also would be required to facilitate abortions for any reason, and at any stage of pregnancy, despite their conscientious, professional, and medical objections.
“It defies constitutional principles to force people to act and to speak against their personal convictions, and it is even more offense to force people who value both mothers and their unborn children to advocate for something that harms them,” said Forsythe.
AUL attorney Anna Paprocki testified several times against the measure. To read her testimony, click here.
During the debate over the measure, she noted: “Illinois Senate Bill 1564 will create financial liabilities that the State cannot afford. In addition to the potential for Illinois to lose billions of dollars in federal funding for violating longstanding federal conscience laws, the requirements of SB 1564 will subject the State to costly litigation for violating rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Further, SB 1564’s erosion of Illinois’ conscience protections will add stress on an already over-taxed healthcare system.”
The lawsuit was filed by Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of Pregnancy Care Center in Rockford, Dr. Anthony Caruso an OB/GYN private care physician that runs A Bella Baby OB/GYN, and Aid for Women pregnancy resource center.
To learn more about the health risks of abortion, click here.
