Judge Blocks Law Aimed at Life Affirming Organizations

A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction blocking a week-old Illinois law authorizing prosecution of “limited services” crisis pregnancy centers for allegedly duping women to believe they could get abortion services at the pro-life centers.

The Deceptive Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers Act, passed by the state legislature in May and signed into law July 27 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, would levy civil penalties of up to $50,000 per incident.

District Judge Iain D. Johnston of the U.S. District Court for Illinois’ Northern District issued the injunction in response to a lawsuit challenging the law. The lawsuit was filed by the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates and four other pro-life organizations seeking a permanent injunction.

The lawsuit said the law “targets life-affirming organizations with the threat of investigations, subpoenas, civil liability, and even dissolution for expressing sincere religious beliefs, should the attorney general or a private citizen who disagrees with those religious views determine that such expressions are deceptive or misleading.” (Excerpt from The Washington Times.)