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By julz • 15 years ago

Parental Notice Law Not a Political Compromise

Cross-posted on Amplify

Quite the contenious issue, the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act has never been enacted due to a court order. That is, until now.

The most recent version of the law, passed in 1995, would require a young woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy to inform a parent, step-parent living in the household, grandparent, or legal guardian of her decision, or navigate the judicial system for a waiver.

The law was scheduled to go into effect today, after a federal court lifted the injunction in July, but now remains in limbo pending a lawsuit by the ACLU of Illinois and considerations by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Today, the Chicago Tribune published a flawed editorial in favor of the law. Here are a couple of their claims:

It’s a sensible, temperate law aimed at ensuring that parents will not be shut out of a decision that has such grave health and moral implications.
It took a long, long time for democracy to work in this instance, but we’re glad it did, particularly for a measure that represents an intelligent middle ground on a deeply divisive issue. Abortion-rights supporters think pregnant girls should have unrestricted access to abortion, while abortion-rights opponents think abortion should be illegal for adults as well as teens in most or all circumstances. Neither got their way this time.
By julz • 15 years ago

Chicago Buffer Zone Ordinance Passes

Here in Chicago, we’re thrilled with a recent victory for health care access!

On October 7, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance establishing a buffer zone outside all medical facilities to protect health care workers, volunteers, and patients from harassment and obstruction.

A week earlier, the Chicago City Council Human Relations Committee passed an the ordinance, sponsored by Aldeman Vi Daley (D-43), to create a 50-foot zone outside the entrance health clinics and hospitals, an area in which all individuals would need permission to come within 8 feet of another person. Violations would result in a fine of up to $500. The full City Council then voted 28-13 in favor of the ordinance. Here is a list of how ...

Here in Chicago, we’re thrilled with a recent victory for health care access!

On October 7, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance establishing a buffer zone outside all medical facilities to protect health care workers, volunteers, ...