Conscience Wins! Blago Loses.

Illinois certainly has its problems; politically, morally, criminally and financially. And even our weather goes against us. If you live in Illinois, you're always looking for a bright spot, or a sunny day.

Recently, Illinois had a sunny day. The American Center for Law and Justice, on April 5, 2011, secured a major victory for Conscience Rights. The state court in Illinois issued a decision, striking down a state law, that compelled pharmacy owners to dispense Plan B, as well as other forms of emergency contraception; even if dispensing violated their religious or moral beliefs. This victory marks a milestone in Illinois and for the nation.

The senior counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice said, "Today's decision is a major victory for the rights of conscience". After six long years of litigation, our clients have finally prevailed against a state government, determined to coerce them and all pro-life pharmacists into violating their deeply held religious beliefs, or give up their livelihoods. Judge Belz's decision makes clear, that both Illinois state law and the First Amendment, will not permit this. This country was founded by people with a strong commitment to religious freedom. That's why freedom of religion is the first freedom protected in the Bill of Rights. For government at any level to try to run roughshod over that freedom, is to abdicate the government's primary responsibility."

This case came about, when our former Governor Rod Blagojevich, was in power. Now he's on
trial. In Illinois it seems most governors go on trial. But, while he was governor, before he was on trial, he mandated that all pharmacies dispense Plan B. This prompted two pharmacy owners, Luke VanderBleek and Glenn Kosirog, to file a complaint, alleging that Governor Rod Blagojevich violated the conscience rights of pharmacists and pharmacies. The case went to trial in March of 2010, where today, Judge John W Belz of the circuit court handed down his decision, in support of VanderBleek and Glenn Kosirog. That decision upholds the state's Health Care Right of Conscience Act, the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Free Exercise of Religion Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Co-counsel, Mark Rienzi of Catholic University's Columbus School of Law, stated, "In a pluralistic society that honors diversity there ought to be room for people like our clients to practice their professions without the threat of government sanctions."

After six long years of government oppression, the sun is shining in Illinois for conscience rights, and former Governor Rod Blagojevich is facing a prison term.