For a better experience of this site, we recommend that you upgrade your web browser. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the full site menu.

Last Updated 11/4/2009

Illinois Parental Notice Law Enforced for Six Hours

Joe Scheidler addresses the media after the Parental Notice hearing

Joe Scheidler addresses the media after the hearing [Photo by Ann Scheidler]

Just six hours after the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation had declined to extend the grace period on Illinois' Parental Notice law, The ACLU went into Cook County Circuit Court, representing the infamous Hope Clinic of Granite City, IL and abortionist Allison Cowett, to request a Temporary Restraining Order against the law.

Lorie Chaiten, attorney for the ACLU Reproductive Rights Division argued that under the Illinois State Constitution the right to privacy guarantees the right to abortion regardless of a woman's age. She also claimed that gender equality dictates that the state cannot prefer childbirth over abortion and that the notion that childbirth would be preferable is based on outdated stereotypes that women should be mothers.

Chaiten argued that pregnant girls are permitted to make other decisions, including decisions for minor children they already have, and therefore minor teens should not be required to communicate with their parents or seek a judicial bypass in order to get an abortion. According to Chaiten teen girls face abuse and rejection from their parents, causing irreparable harm.

Assistant Attorney General Argues for Reason

Assistant Attorney General Tom Ioppolo argued for the State of Illinois that the Illinois Legislature should be respected for the thought that went into the 1995 Parental Notice Act. Ioppolo said that the Illinois Constitution was passed in 1970, prior to Roe v Wade, and that the privacy clause would have to be grossly misconstrued to claim that it guaranteed the right to an abortion.

Ioppolo pointed out that an abortion clinic counselor, who would spend an hour or less with a minor teen, would not have the same concern for the young woman as her parents would. He also pointed out that there may be medical concerns that parents are aware of that would be overlooked if they are left out of the decision to have an abortion.

Judge Daniel Riley granted the Temporary Restraining Order, and scheduled a status hearing for November 19 to consider whether to grant a Preliminary Injunction while the ACLU pursues its efforts to throw out Illinois' Parental Notice law entirely. Riley also ruled that the Thomas More Society Pro-Life Law Center, Chicago, which attempted to intervene in the case, could not be heard at Wednesday's Hearing, but will hear arguments from TMS attorney Tom Brejcha on November 19.

[Back to Top]

Parental Notice Law Takes Effect in Illinois

League staff at the Capitol

League staff at the Capitol building in Springfield, IL

After a fourteen year struggle, Illinois' embattled Parental Notice Act went into effect on Wednesday, November 4, 2009.

The law, which passed the Illinois State Legislature with bi-partisan majorities in both houses, requires physicians to contact one parent, step-parent or other legal guardian at least 48 hours before performing an abortion on a girl under 18 years old. The law has a judicial bypass option whereby a minor girl could appear before a judge to receive permission to get the abortion without notifying her parents in certain cases.

When it first passed, the law was immediately enjoined by the ACLU for not having clear enough rules for how a judicial bypass could be obtained, and it stayed that way for the next 14 years. In 2009, that process was finally finished, and the Illinois Supreme Court declared that the law should be enforced.

90 Day moratorium on Parental Notice Law

At that point, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation declared a 90 day moratorium on enforcement so that abortionists could put procedures in place to follow the law. That moratorium expired on November 4, but the ACLU recommended another moratorium be put in place and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation was going to comply.

But the Pro-Life Action League and a host of other pro-life groups from around the state rallied their supporters, who flooded Governor Pat Quinn's office with calls demanding that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation end the moratorium. It was announced on the morning of November 4 that there would be no further extensions and the law would go into effect immediately—a great victory for pro-life forces.

Unfortunately, the battle wages on as the Thomas More Society Pro-Life Law Center, Chicago is in court with the ACLU as they attempt to read a broad right to abortion into the Illinois Constitution to rule the Parental Notice Act unconstitutional. The federal courts have already ruled that the Parental Notice Act is valid and constitutional under the U.S. Constitution, and the Illinois Supreme Court has instructed [PDF] that "our state courts are prepared to proceed to apply the law as enacted.

[Back to Top]

League Holds Closing Ceremonies for Two 40 Days Vigils

Joe Scheidler and Fr. Paul Kalchik lead pro-lifers in a Rosary at Albany abortion clinic in Chicago

Joe Scheidler and Fr. Paul Kalchik lead pro-lifers in a Rosary at Albany abortion clinic in Chicago [Photo by Ann Scheidler]

The 40 Days for Life campaigns in Aurora and Chicago closed on Sunday, November 1 with great pro-life events.

In Chicago, pro-lifers gathered at the Albany Medical Surgical Center for a candlelight recitation of the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. led by Fr. Paul Kalchik of Resurrection Parish in Chicago. League national director Joe Scheidler, a Knight of Columbus, was in attendance in full Knight regalia.

A lone protester came to cause trouble at the ceremony, but stalwart activist Mike Busse engaged him in conversation. He even persuaded the young man to accompany him to a nearby Eucharistic Adoration chapel.

Pro-Life Concert Closes Aurora Vigil

"Do-It-Yourself" Pro-Life Concert

In Aurora, the vigil closed with a "Do-It Yourself" Pro-Life Concert. The League's Eric Scheidler and Matt Yonke brought guitars and harmonicas out to Planned Parenthood Aurora where pro-lifers gathered to sing songs in praise and thanksgiving to God for His blessing on their pro-life work.

Many brought copies of a favorite hymn to share. Songs ranging from the "Breastplate of St. Patrick" to "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" were sung. One with a very special meaning to the Fox Valley pro-life community was "Spirit of the Living God," a favorite of longtime activist John "Little John" Thorne who is struggling with lung disease. Check out the video of pro-lifers singing the song for John in his absence.

[Back to Top]

Pro-Life Events in Chicagoland November 13 and 14

Fr. Tom Euteneuer

Human Life International president Fr. Tom Euteneuer

The Pro-Life Action League is pleased to announce a weekend full of pro-life events coming up November 13 and 14.

First, Father Thomas Euteneuer, pro-life activist and president of Human Life International will give a talk enitled "The Fight for Life Around the World" at Holy Angels Church located at Hardin Avenue and Lancaster Avenue in Aurora (Map).

The talk will be in Connor Hall in the church basement. A light meal will be served at 5:15 p.m. followed by the talk from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. There is no cost for the talk and dinner, but organizers request that you RSVP by Friday, November 6 by calling 630-897-1194, ext. 26, or via e-mail at releducation@holyangels.org.

Then, on Saturday, November 14, Fr. Euteneuer will celebrate 8:15 a.m. Mass at Holy Angels. After the Mass, Fr. Euteneuer will join pro-lifers for the monthly protest at Planned Parenthood Aurora (Map) at 9:15 a.m.

Don't miss this chance to hear from and pray with one of the pro-life movement's most dynamic priests.

Sidewalk Counseling Seminar—November 14, noon to 3 p.m.

Tom Brejcha helps pro-lifers in Denver

Attorney Tom Brejcha helps pro-lifers in Denver, CO [Photo by Jeff Eschbach]

Also on the 14th, the League will host a Sidewalk Counseling Training Seminar at St. Mary of the Angels Church, 1850 N. Hermitage in Chicago (Map). Register today for this important seminar.

You'll hear from the League's Ann Scheidler about how to sidewalk counsel, from Katie Reidy of the Women's Center about what Pregnancy Resource Centers have to offer, and a crucial talk from attorney Tom Brejcha of the Thomas More Society Pro-Life Law Center about Chicago's new Bubble Zone ordinance and how it will affect your rights as a pro-lifer witnessing at an abortion clinic.

This seminar has something for everyone, from seasoned sidewalk counselors to first-time prayer warriors. If you have ever gone to pray or counsel at an abortion clinic in Chicago, or even thought about doing so, this seminar is for you. Register today to reserve your spot at this crucial seminar.

[Back to Top]

Moody Radio Covers Scheidler v. Trombley Libel Suit

Planned Parenthood Lies to You sign

Ada Scheidler holds a protest sign at a rally outside Planned Parenthood Aurora [Photo by Sam Scheidler]

On October 29, a piece ran on Moody Radio's national program Prime Time America highlighting the libel suit Pro-Life Action League executive director Eric Scheidler is fighting against Planned Parenthood of Illinois and their CEO Steve Trombley, and how the Illinois Citizens Participation Act has been turned inside-out by Planned Parenthood's lawyers.

The Citizens Participation Act was intended by the Illinois General Assembly to protect grassroots activists from being deprived of their constitutional rights under the threat of baseless but costly lawsuits brought by their powerful opponents. Essentially, Planned Parenthood is arguing that Eric only sued them for libel in order to intimidate them out of continuing to get their Aurora abortuary opened.

In reality, Eric sued Planned Parenthood for libel because of the ugly full-page ad they took out in the Aurora Beacon News and other local papers, declaring that the Pro-Life Action League has a "well documented history of advocating violence," and serving up a hash of false accusations leveled at Eric's father, League national director Joe Scheidler during his 1998 NOW v. Scheidler trial. The ad also failed to mention that Joe was ultimately vindicated in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Last year, Judge Judith Brawka agreed with Planned Parenthood's reading of this law and struck down four counts of libel, and now Planned Parenthood is demanding over $317,000 in legal fees from Eric. Meanwhile, Eric is appealing the judge's ruling.

Listen to the Moody Radio report produced by Paul Butler for more information on this strange but important case.

[Back to Top]

Life Issues Headlines from LifeSite

[LifeSite News]

These daily headlines on the life issues are provided by an newsfeed from LifeSite, "Your Life, Family and Culture Outpost," North America's premier source for news on the life issues and the culture wars.

Please Note: Any editorial views expressed in the articles linked below are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Pro-Life Action League.

LifeSite Headlines for Saturday, November 7, 2009

Powered by LifeSite
[Back to Top]