Thursday, April 7, 2011

Thanks for the Phone Calls and keep Them up

Great News - Senate Resolution 92 is Dead!

Senator Kimberly Lightford, sponsor of SR92 supporting the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, has withdrawn the resolution. She has stated that she is dropping it entirely. According to Scott Woodruff of the Home School Legal Defense Association, the many phone calls and information given to her "broadened her understanding and convinced her that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is not a good idea."

Thank you for your phone calls following our report yesterday. Contacting our elected state officials clearly makes a difference!

It is unfortunate that we need to continue to be vigilant concerning the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child at the federal level where it is still being considered.

Victory for Pro-life Pharmacists in Illinois

In 2005, Gov. Rod Blagojevich established a rule in Illinois requiring all pharmacists to fill prescriptions for morning after pills. This rule put pharmacists in the position of having to choose between following their conscience or risk being fined or losing their license.

Following a six year legal battle, in which the American Center for Law and Justice represented two pharmacy owners, Luke VanderBleek and Glenn Kosirog, the law has been struck down. Yesterday Circuit Court Judge John W. Belz declared that the state law violates Illinois' Health Care Right of Conscience Act, the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the Free Exercise of Religion Clause of the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Francis Manion, Senior Counsel for the ACLJ, put it this way: "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."

The Illinois Ultrasound Opportunity Act - HB786 - Came Out of Committee Today!

The committee vote was 10 yes, 1 no and 1 present. A floor vote is expected soon: now is the time to act! It is sure to encounter opposition. Lake County Right to Life, Inc. strongly supports Illinois HB 786, the Ultrasound Opportunity Act. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Brandon Phelps, states that any physician who is performing an abortion must offer the pregnant woman the opportunity to have an ultrasound. It's her choice before an abortion.

Lake County Right to Life urges Illinois citizens to contact their state representatives to support the Ultrasound Opportunity Act. It is good public policy and protects people.

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