Federal judge sides with pro-life pregnancy centers, finds part of Illinois abortion law unconstitutional

A federal judge in Illinois has issued a split ruling in a circumstance against a state abortion law finding part of the law violates the constitutional right to free speech by compelling anatomical professionals who do not believe in abortion to discuss its benefits U S District Court Judge Iain D Johnston on Friday unveiled part of the Illinois Healthcare Care Right of Conscience Act unconstitutional in a scenario brought by the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates and three pro-life pregnancy centers The Court concludes that Inhabitants Act - Section in exchange for a liability shield compels speech requiring a discussion about the risks and benefits of childbirth and abortion That compelled discussion violates the First Amendment Johnston noted in the ruling Johnston however ruled another section of the law in question constitutional That part of the law requires health providers if a client asks to either refer or transfer patients or give written information about which other providers may offer services that they can t provide because of a conscience-based objection TEXAS LAWMAKERS CONSIDER BIPARTISAN BILL AIMED AT CLARIFYING EXCEPTIONS TO STATE'S ABORTION RESTRICTIONS Conceivably the State has a legitimate interest in facilitating abortions provided by soundness care professionals to reduce the number of self-managed abortions or self-induced abortions which are inherently dangerous Johnston wrote Requiring the Plaintiffs to provide the requested information is a rational means of meeting that goal Of the two sections of the law in question Johnston wrote that requiring providers to discuss abortion rehabilitation options mandates speech regardless of anything else whereas the latter requires actions when prompted by a person PRO-LIFE ACTIVIST ASSAULTED BLOODIED DURING STREET INTERVIEW ABOUT ABORTIONFollowing Johnston s split ruling the Alliance Defending Freedom ADF which represented the plaintiffs in the three-day bench trial in noted pro-life pregnancy centers must be free to continue their life-affirming work without fear of regime punishment No one should be forced to express a message that violates their convictions announced ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot who argued before the court in September The court was right to protect pregnancy centers freedom to advocate that life is a human right The leadership can t compel therapeutic professionals to choose between violating the law and violating the Hippocratic Oath to do no harm The Thomas More Society a non-profit that opposes abortion reported it is planning to appeal the split decision to the U S Court of Appeals for the th Circuit Thomas More Society will keep fighting to protect our heroic pro-life ministries Forcing pro-life doctors and pregnancy centers to facilitate abortion unconstitutionally burdens their faith and conscience Peter Breen the group s vice president and head of litigation commented in a report adding that the fight is far from over