Federal judge sides with pro-life pregnancy centers, finds part of Illinois abortion law unconstitutional
A federal judge in Illinois has issued a split ruling in a case against a state abortion law, finding part of the law violates the constitutional right to free speech by compelling medical professionals who do not believe in abortion to discuss its benefits.
U.S. District Court Judge Iain D. Johnston on Friday found part of the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act unconstitutional in a case brought by the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates and three pro-life pregnancy centers.
"The Court concludes that Public Act 99-690 Section 6.1(1), in exchange for a liability shield, compels speech, requiring a discussion about the risks and benefits of childbirth and abortion. That compelled discussion violates the First Amendment," Johnston said in the ruling.
Johnston, however, ruled another section of the law in question constitutional. That part of the law requires medical providers, if a patient asks, to either refer or transfer patients, or give written information about which other providers may offer services that they "can't provide because of a conscience-based objection."
Texas Lawmakers Consider Bipartisan Bill Aimed At Clarifying Exceptions To State's Abortion Restrictions
"Conceivably, the State has a legitimate interest in facilitating abortions provided by health care professionals to reduce the number of 'self-managed abortions' or 'self-induced abortions,' which are inherently dangerous," Johnston wrote. "Requiring the Plaintiffs to provide the requested information is a rational means of meeting that goal."
Read On The Fox News App
Of the two sections of the law in question, Johnston wrote that requiring providers to discuss abortion treatment options "mandates speech regardless of anything else; whereas, the latter requires actions when prompted by a patient."
Pro-life Activist Assaulted, Bloodied During Street Interview About Abortion
Following Johnston's split ruling, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which represented the plaintiffs in the three-day bench trial in 2023, said pro-life pregnancy centers "must be free to continue their life-affirming work without fear of government punishment."
"No one should be forced to express a message that violates their convictions," said ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot, who argued before the court in September 2023. "The court was right to protect pregnancy centers' freedom to advocate that life is a human right. The government can't compel medical professionals to choose between violating the law and violating the Hippocratic Oath to do no harm."
The Thomas More Society, a non-profit that opposes abortion, said it is planning to appeal the split decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.
Click To Get The Fox News App
"Thomas More Society will keep fighting to protect our heroic pro-life ministries. Forcing pro-life doctors and pregnancy centers to facilitate abortion unconstitutionally burdens their faith and conscience," Peter Breen, the group's vice president and head of litigation, said in a statement, adding that the "fight is far from over."Original article source: Federal judge sides with pro-life pregnancy centers, finds part of Illinois abortion law unconstitutional
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
5 minutes ago
- Fox News
GOP Senator Ron Johnson says he's 'trying to force reality' on DC
When it comes to the nation's federal government, GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is "not a fan." He believes that it "causes or exacerbates more problems than it actually solves," telling Fox News Digital during an interview on Wednesday that the bulk of his oversight is "to expose how awful government is" in order to obtain "public support for reducing it, limiting its size, limiting its cost, limiting its influence over our lives." "As our federal government grows, our freedoms recede," he said. "You see what the federal government does, how it wastes money." The national debt has ballooned to the eye-watering sum of more than $36 trillion, with lawmakers and presidents from both parties presiding over the deficit spending that has led the nation to this point. Johnson said he's "trying to force reality" upon everyone in the nation's capital, regardless of whether they want to face that reality. He said for decades the nation has been suffering a "chronic debt crisis," illustrating the dramatic decline in the value of the U.S. dollar by noting that "the dollar you held back in 1998 is now only worth $0.51 cents," while "a dollar you held in … 2019 is only worth $0.80 cents." The senator referred to inflation as "the silent tax." But he's certainly not staying silent. Johnson indicated that the elected leaders are mortgaging the future of American children, but "don't talk about it." "I'm forcing everybody to look at it," he said, noting that his "primary role" is to force "acknowledgment of our problem." But as keenly as Johnson advocates the idea of slashing the sprawling tentacles of the massive federal bureaucracy, right now he's just pushing to pare spending down to pre-pandemic levels. The conservative fiscal hawk has been making headlines for taking a stand against the Trump-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act that cleared the GOP-controlled House of Representatives last month. But Johnson told Fox News Digital that he actually likes a lot of the measure. "I'm really not critical of the bill as far as it goes," Johnson explained, noting that he's a "big supporter" of much of what's in it, though he noted that has not read all of it — the measure is more than 1,000 pages long. "My main beef is it just doesn't go far enough," he said, noting that after the COVID-19 pandemic Democrats failed to return to pre-COVID spending and deficit levels. The Congressional Budget Office's estimated budgetary impact for the measure indicates that the net effect on the deficit would be a more than $2.4 trillion increase over the fiscal years 2025-2034. But White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought has said the measure would decrease deficits. "The bill REDUCES deficits by $1.4 trillion over ten years when you adjust for CBO's one big gimmick--not using a realistic current policy baseline. It includes $1.7 trillion in mandatory savings, the most in history. If you care about deficits and debt, this bill dramatically improves the fiscal picture," Vought said in a post on X. Johnson also noted during the interview that there has not been a "reckoning" regarding the "abuse" at all levels of government during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that he does not refer to the COVID-19 jab as a vaccine. Instead, he referred to it as an "injection," asserting that it is "not a vaccine," and that it caused injuries and death. The senator said that he thinks the shots should have "black box warnings." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website states that the "CDC recommends a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for most adults ages 18 and older" and claims that the "vaccine helps protect you from severe illness, hospitalization, and death." Johnson, who has served in the Senate since 2011 and won election to a third term in 2022, said he'd prefer not to seek another term in office. "I don't covet this job," he said, noting that he wants to leverage his post to help save America and aid those who are "ignored by the system." While he's not ruling out another run, Johnson, who turned 70-years-old earlier this year, said he'd "be happy" to return to Oshkosh and "live a nice, peaceful life."
Fox News
21 minutes ago
- Fox News
Anti-ICE riot funding investigated after ‘numerous high budget requests' for paid agitators were reported
An investigation is underway into who is funding anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots disrupting Los Angeles and other major U.S. cities after a major company revealed it had received requests for help. Crowds on Demand, a California-based company that specializes in providing on-demand crowds for protests, told Fox News Digital it received "numerous high budget requests" to get involved with the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles and other cities but declined to participate. A company spokesperson said it declined to get involved in what is happening in Los Angeles because it did "not want to get close to any form of illegal activity, including violence, vandalism or blocking off roads without a permit." "We receive inquiries regarding practically every major social cause imaginable, and the anti-ICE demonstrations are no exception," the company said. "The fact that we receive requests does not mean we take them, in many cases, because the budget does not match the ambition." The company added it only takes on "impactful commonsense causes both for liberals and conservatives, but always represent(s) the commonsense position." "Even organizing peaceful demonstrators around this issue (anti-ICE) could put those demonstrators at risk due to the presence of violent agitators and the difficulty for law enforcement in distinguishing between peaceful and violent activists," the company said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said anyone found to be abusing the law will be held accountable. "We're not here to negotiate with criminals. Break the law, attack our agents — you will be arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable. No exceptions," the agency vowed in a statement on X. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., the chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, shared that the committee is sending letters to multiple organizations believed to be behind the funding. One of the organizations called into questioning by Hawley and Republican California Rep. Kevin Kiley is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA, an advocacy group believed to be at the center of the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. "Who is funding the LA riots? This violence isn't spontaneous. As chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime & Terrorism, I'm launching an investigation to find out," Hawley posted in a statement on X. Hawley's letter noted that "credible reporting" has indicated the organization has provided "logistical support and financial resources to individuals engaged in these disruptive actions," referring to the Los Angeles riots. "Let me be clear: bankrolling civil unrest is not protected speech. It is aiding and abetting criminal conduct. Accordingly, you must immediately cease and desist any further involvement in the organization, funding or promotion of these unlawful activities," Hawley wrote. Kiley also questioned who was behind the funding for the rioters and suggested that California Gov. Gavin Newsom's motive may be a conflict of interest. "The 'nonprofit' behind the LA riots donated almost $500,000 to support Newsom's campaign. It then received $34 million in state funding. I'm sure this is all a coincidence," Kiley wrote in a post on X. Kiley also shared with Fox News Digital that CHIRLA has reportedly also sponsored a campaign to abolish ICE in the past. "The NGO known as CHIRLA was centrally involved in the LA riots. The organization, which has previously sponsored a campaign to abolish ICE, alerted the rioters to where ICE operations were occurring in real time. The agitators would then show up and disrupt ICE activities, including through the use of violence," Kiley said. "This group is a major campaign contributor to Gavin Newsom and has received $34 million in state funding. An investigation is absolutely appropriate and necessary." IRS records obtained by Fox News show CHIRLA has received $34 million in government grants, including three from former President Joe Biden's administration for $750,000. The Million Voter Project, which received a portion of these funds and opposed Newsom's recall, has also supported anti-ICE protests, according to records. It is not clear whether either group funded any protest activity, and there is no evidence that they supported rioting. "It is absolutely absurd that either myself or the governor would be supportive in any way, shape or form to the vandalism and the violence that has taken place in our city," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told CNN in an interview Tuesday. "I have been abundantly clear that what is happening on our streets is unacceptable. Looting is criminal behavior. People will be arrested and prosecuted. I don't believe anybody who vandalizes the city supports immigrants." Bass' office told Fox News Digital she also set a curfew in downtown Los Angeles to "curb bad actors who do not support the immigrant community." "Law enforcement will arrest individuals who break the curfew, and you will be prosecuted," Bass vowed. Fox News Digital reached out to CHIRLA and Newsom's office for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
No, Jennifer Griffin Is Not Leaving Fox News
Wondering if Jennifer Griffin is leaving Fox News? The veteran journalist has reported for the network since 1999 and currently serves as its Chief National Security Correspondent. After a brief absence during major national security coverage, online speculation grew about her status with the network. But is there any truth to the rumors? Here's what we know about Jennifer Griffin's role at Fox News and the facts behind the exit claims. Rumors about Jennifer Griffin leaving Fox News have circulated on social media, but there is no official confirmation from the network. Fox News has made no statements regarding her departure, and Griffin remains active both on air and online. Griffin continues to serve as the Chief National Security Correspondent for Fox News Channel. She has recently reported live on several key national security developments, including Pentagon updates on U.S. and Israeli military operations. On June 12, 2025, she appeared on Fox News @ Night, reporting on the Israel-Iran conflict. Despite temporary speculation after her absence during coverage of the Signal chat leak in March 2025, Mediaite later clarified that Griffin was on vacation when the story broke and returned to work the next day. Griffin also addressed the story directly on X, posting: 'The Trump administration does not deny this Signal group chat about the war planning for the Yemen strikes is real.' Griffin remains active on her verified X account (@JenGriffinFNC), where she regularly shares Pentagon updates, international defense developments, and U.S. military operations. Her page shows continued activity and professional engagement, with 234.8K followers and recent posts from this month. Fox News transcripts confirm that Griffin filed several televised reports in June 2025, including coverage of Iranian nuclear strikes, U.S. troop deployments, and Defense Department hearings. There is no indication that her role in the network has changed. The rumors suggesting her departure are false. No credible source has reported on her leaving, and her continued presence in major Fox News segments, along with her social media activity, confirms she remains in her role. The post No, Jennifer Griffin Is Not Leaving Fox News – Rumors Explained appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
