Illinois Law Forces Pro-Lifers to Violate Religious Beliefs
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed legislation that forces pro-life medical professionals and crisis pregnancy clinics to violate their religious beliefs by referring patients for abortions and counseling patients on the "benefits" of the procedure.
"We are extremely disappointed in Gov. Rauner for siding with pro-abortion Democrats by signing SB 1564 and expanding abortions in Illinois," Emily Zender, the Illinois Right to Life executive director, said in a news release.
"This radical bill is a direct assault on the consciences of medical professionals and the missions of community supported pregnancy help centers."
"Science tells us that abortion ends the life of a preborn child, and for Illinoisans to be forced to participate in any way in abortion is a tremendous injustice," she continued.
SB 1564 amends the Illinois' Health Care Right of Conscience Act, which was once viewed as a top-notch First Amendment protection law at the state level, LifeNews.com reports. It goes into effect in 2017.
Illinois Right to Life handed more than 6,000 signatures to the governor's desk in opposition to the measure. It's expected that Alliance Defending Freedom and Thomas More Society will challenge the bill in court, calling it unconstitutional.
"This is sad and tragic news," Ann Scheidler, vice president of the Pro-Life Action League based in Illinois, said in a news release. "The medical professionals in the state of Illinois deserve to practice their healing art within the freedom of conscience."
"The pro-life pregnancy centers should be protected from giving exactly the advice that goes against everything they stand for. They will not do it," she continued.
Lorie Chaiten, director of the ACLU of Illinois Reproductive Rights Project, urged Gov. Rauner to sign SB 1564.
"Senate Bill 1564 ensures that each patient in Illinois now can be assured that they will have complete information, so that they can make the best medical decision for themselves and their families," Chaiten said in a statement. "In short, this bill protects patients when health care providers exercise religious refusals."
About The Author
Mark Martin currently serves as a reporter and anchor at CBN News, reporting on all kinds of issues, from military matters to alternative fuels. Mark has reported internationally in the Middle East. He traveled to Bahrain and covered stories on the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mark also anchors CBN News Midday on the CBN Newschannel and fills in on the anchor desk for CBN News' Newswatch and The 700 Club.
Prior to CBN News, Mark worked at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith, Arkansas. There he served as a weekend morning producer, before being promoted to general assignment reporter, and eventually weekday morning anchor. Following KFSM, Mark was promoted to the weekday morning anchor position at WQAD-TV, the ABC affiliate in Moline, Ill. Marks reporting has earned numerous awards, including a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for a news series on the Marine Corps. The Associated Press also named Mark Best Reporter two years in a row in the state of Illinois.
Marks faith in Jesus Christ motivates him to report on stories that inform, encourage, and help viewers. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. Marks hobbies include playing tennis, as well as playing the piano and cello. He also enjoys playing the keyboard in the praise and worship band at church. Mark received his B.S. in Telecommunications with an emphasis in broadcast journalism from Oral Roberts University.
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