Tag Archives: SB 1564

Do Not Resuscitate: Illinois SB 1564

There’s uncertainty surrounding the future of an Illinois law now that the Supreme Court has ruled against a similar statute in California requiring pro-life pregnancy care centers to inform expecting mothers about the availability of abortions.…

Posted in Exclude from Homepage, Video | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Do Not Resuscitate: Illinois SB 1564

Illinois Law Could be Impacted by California Right of Conscience Case if it is Heard by SCOTUS

In a fast-moving story, right of conscience cases are moving forward and possibly to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Here are just two recent headlines from Life News:

October 30: Pregnancy Centers Ask Supreme Court to Overturn California Law Forcing Them to Promote Abortions

October 31: Judge Blocks California Law Forcing Pregnancy Centers to Promote Abortions

In a case that could impact Illinois, Life News reports, “California pregnancy centers could hear any day now if the United States Supreme Court will hear their appeal for relief from a pro-abortion state law”:

Their cases involve a pro-abortion California law that forces pregnancy

Posted in Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Illinois Law Could be Impacted by California Right of Conscience Case if it is Heard by SCOTUS

Rights of Conscience Lawsuit Filed in Response to SB 1564

Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing an Illinois doctor and two pregnancy care centers filed suit in state court against Gov. Bruce Rauner after he recently signed a bill into law that forces doctors and medical facilities to promote abortion regardless of their ethical or moral views on the practice.

ADF sent a letter to Rauner in May on behalf of numerous pro-life physicians, pregnancy care centers, and pregnancy care center network organizations advising him that the bill, SB 1564, would violate federal law and therefore place federal funding, including Medicaid reimbursements, in jeopardy. ADF also warned legislators about the problems …

Posted in Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rights of Conscience Lawsuit Filed in Response to SB 1564

Gov. Rauner Kills Conscience Rights by Signing SB 1564

Despite a full-court press by IFI and many Illinois pro-life groups--including dozens of pregnancy resource centers (PRCs)--Governor Bruce Rauner today chose to sign legislation that will result in our state government requiring pro-life medical professionals to refer patients for medical procedures/services they find morally objectionable such as abortion, sterilization and certain end-of-life care protocols. This is not the result for which so many hoped and prayed.
Posted in Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Gov. Rauner Kills Conscience Rights by Signing SB 1564

So What’s the Plan Oh Mighty Men of God

There is a scene in the movie 1984 in which Winston is reminded of this statement that he wrote in his diary: “Freedom is the freedom to say 2 + 2 = 4.” An updated version might say, “Freedom is the freedom to call a man a man and a woman a woman.”
Posted in Faith, Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on So What’s the Plan Oh Mighty Men of God

Incoherent Leftists, Abortion, and SB 1564

Leftists in our leftist-controlled state are seeking to amend the “Health Care Right of Conscience” law so as to deny the right of conscience of medical professionals who oppose feticide, artificial contraception, and certain end-of-life protocols that intentionally and prematurely end lives.

Senate Bill 1564 (SB 1564) has passed both houses in Springfield, and as soon as Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) sends it to Governor Bruce Rauner, he will have 60 days to decide if he will sign it into law or veto it.

This law would, for example, compel medical professionals who oppose feticide …

Posted in Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Incoherent Leftists, Abortion, and SB 1564

Unconscionable Anti-Life Bill on Gov. Rauner’s Desk

It’s time to send a message to Governor Bruce Rauner, please veto a pro-abortion bill that would violate the rights of pro-life doctors, medical personnel and pregnancy care workers.

Last week the Illinois House debated and passed SB 1564 by a vote of 61-54 — a bill that would force doctors, nurses, pharmacists to distribute information to help patients find morally objectionable medical services such as abortion, sterilization, and certain end-of-life care.  This proposal was passed by the Illinois Senate on April 22, 2015 by a vote of 34-19.

SB 1564 now heads to the office of the …

Posted in Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Video | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Unconscionable Anti-Life Bill on Gov. Rauner’s Desk

Illinois Lawmakers Pass Legislation to Coerce Speech

This afternoon, the Illinois House took up this SB 1564, debated and passed this ominous new mandate by a vote of 61-54. We are asking for a flood of calls to the Governor's office, asking him to VETO this terrible legislation: (217) 782-0244 or (312) 814-2121
Posted in Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Illinois Lawmakers Pass Legislation to Coerce Speech

Rights of Conscience on the Operating Table in Springfield

The regular session of the Illinois General Assembly ended on May 31st,  but with lawmakers at an impasse over the state budget, they could be meeting in overtime sessions well into the summer.  Along with debate over a spending plan, workman’s compensation and the public sector pension crisis will keep lawmakers busy in  Springfield for at least several more weeks. According IFI  sources, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has told  state representatives that the Illinois House will be meeting every Tuesday throughout the month of June, and even into July.

Lawmakers could use their extra time in the State …

Posted in Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Rights of Conscience on the Operating Table in Springfield

The Paramount Freedom of Conscience

An important lesson I learned early in my theological training was that I ought never violate my own conscience and I must never put pressure on others to violate theirs.  To do so would be immoral and unethical.  One’s conscience may be incorrect, and it is appropriate to educate it when necessary, but in the mean time, it must not be crossed lest that vital “alarm” be deadened.

With the politicians in Springfield debating whether to require medical professionals who oppose abortion to refer abortion seekers to others who will provide those services we see the government of the State …

Posted in Religious Liberty | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Paramount Freedom of Conscience

Dr. Pam Smith Talks About SB 1564

On Wednesday morning, the Human Services Committee heard testimony about SB 1564, a bill that would change the Health Care Rights of Conscience Act by forcing doctors, nurses, pharmacists to distribute information to help a patients find objectionable medical services such as abortion, sterilization, and certain end-of-life care.  The bill passed out of committee on a party line vote of 8-4, as expected.  The bill now moves to the Illinois House floor where it could be voted on as early as next week.

It is important to point out that SB 1564 would also negatively affect crisis pregnancy centers …

Posted in Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Dr. Pam Smith Talks About SB 1564

Prof. George: An Open Letter to the Illinois Legislature

The state should vote down a bill that would trample on its citizens’ conscience rights.
Posted in Religious Liberty | Tagged , | Comments Off on Prof. George: An Open Letter to the Illinois Legislature

Rights of Conscience Update

How did they vote?

This afternoon, the Illinois Senate voted 34 to 19 to pass SB 1564 — the onerous re-write of the Healthcare Right of Conscience Act.  This bill broadly defines “health care,” “health care personnel,” and “health care facility.” SB 1564 will force health care personnel to violate their consciences in regard to morally dubious medical procedures such as abortion, sterilization, and certain end-of-life care. Pro-life lobbyists are deeply concerned that even Crisis Pregnancy Centers that offer pregnancy tests would be subjected to unsavory duties under the law (e.g. abortion referrals).

According to the Christian Medical and Dental

Posted in Illinois Politics, Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rights of Conscience Update

Tribune Op/Ed Misleads on Healthcare Right of Conscience

Sunday’s Chicago Tribune article, “State bill seeks to mandate disclosure,” is terribly misleading. It implies SB 1564 merely requires a healthcare provider to disclose that she has a conscientious objection, that the bill is simply about not having patients be “blind-sided” that a Catholic hospital/provider doesn’t perform abortions, elective sterilizations, etc. The bill does not require mere transparency about objections, but creates new obligations for healthcare providers, including pregnancy resource centers that offer women alternatives to abortion, to promote and participate in conscience-violating activities.
Posted in Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Tribune Op/Ed Misleads on Healthcare Right of Conscience

Rights of Conscience Still at Risk in SB 1564

Earlier this year, State Senator Daniel Biss (D-Skokie) introduced SB 1564 to radically alter the Illinois Healthcare Right of Conscience Act -- an Act that allows medical personnel & health care facilities to avoid participating in morally dubious medical procedures such as abortion, sterilization & certain end-of-life care.
Posted in Religious Liberty | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Rights of Conscience Still at Risk in SB 1564