IL's Inactive Parental Notice Law to be Heard in Federal Court

IL's Inactive Parental Notice Law to be Heard in Federal Court

Wednesday, in federal court, Attorney General Lisa Madigan's Inspector General and the chief counsel of Chicago-based Thomas More Society will argue for the enforcement of Illinois' fourteen year old, but still inactive, parental notice before abortion law.

"Illinois is the only Midwestern state where parental notice is not required and child predators routinely bring minors from other states here for abortions without their parents' knowledge, let alone consent. It's high time this anomalous, flagrant injustice was brought to an end," Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of Thomas More Society, said.

Up until just last year, members of the Illinois Supreme Court refused to issue administrative rules for confidential hearings and appeals by minors, who are in a trial judge's view, mature and informed enough to make their own decision whether to end a pregnancy or whose family circumstances (e.g. incest) make it perilous that such parental notice be given. Under Justice Bob Thomas' leadership, the rules were written, but the fourteen year old law remains unenforced.

"We are anxious to press this appeal because we believe that the enforcement of this law, enacted well over a decade ago, is very overdue and should be delayed no longer," Brechja said.  "Polls show that up to 80 percent of Illinois citizens support parental notice.  Abortion is serious invasive surgery, and indeed parental consent is required by law before school nurses may even administer aspirin to minor students."

The law being debated passed the Illinois legislature in 1995, when Jim Edgar was governor.  The law does not require a parent's consent, it only requires that a parent be notified of the minor's intention to undergo an abortion.

Source: Illinois Review
Source URL: http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview
Publish Date: January 14, 2009
Link to this article:
http://www.ifrl.org/ifrl/news/090114_1.htm