Illinois Supreme Court Plans to Revive Abortion Law

By Joanna Miller in News on Sep 20, 2006 11:55AM

It’s been 11 years since the Illinois General Assembly passed a parental-notification abortion law, but it has never gone into effect. That’s something the Illinois Supreme Court plans to change. Chief Justice Robert Thomas called a suburban Christian radio show last week and said he planned to revive the law, which would prohibit minor girls from getting abortions without parental consent.

Yesterday, the court said it would issue rules that would put the law into effect. These rules include procedures for minor girls to appeal a judge’s decision denying them the right to an abortion without their families being notified.

Court spokesman Joseph Tybor said there’s nothing political about the new rules or the court’s timing in issuing them, but with elections around the corner, opponents of the law disagree. Some Democrats have vowed to mount a campaign to stop the law if necessary, although the General Assembly won’t be in session again until Nov. 14.

"They're trying to inject politics into the safety of young girls, and I think that's very unfortunate," said state Sen. Carol Ronen (D-Chicago). "This looks kind of suspicious."