Illinois Dems Work To Shut Down Life-Saving Pregnancy Centers With Vague ‘Deceptive Practices’ Bill

Democratic lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly have proposed and passed bills that target pro-life pregnancy centers, masking their intention to stop deceptive business practices.

Two bills damaging to pregnancy centers, including the Waterleaf Women’s Center, where the author works, were introduced by legislators in February. Matching bills, HB 2463 and SB 1909, were sponsored by State Democrats. SB 1909 passed the state Senate on Friday, but the state House has not voted on its bill.

The bill’s stated aim is to safeguard women against “deceptive, fraudulent, and misleading practices” while making “autonomous” decisions about their “reproductive health.” According to the act, pregnancy centers may face fines of up to $50,000 if it “appears” that a violation has occurred, as determined by the attorney general.

The Senate bill has been overwhelmingly opposed, as evidenced by witness slips, which allow citizens and organizations to express their opinions publicly about legislation, at a count of 8,725 to 2,652 at deadline. However, the bill was approved by the Senate executive committee on Wednesday and the full Senate on Friday.

Critics of the bill immediately highlighted the act’s “specious use of language” and the attempt to “punish pregnancy centers … for their unwillingness to commit murder” after Democrats introduced it. “This act is intended to shut us down. Never in our 14-year history have I seen anything so shocking,” said Kelly Rozanski, co-founder and board president of the Aurora-based Waterleaf Women’s Center. Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, echoed the opinion that the proposed legislation would shut down pro-life pregnancy centers.

While abortion clinics do not provide pregnancy-related services other than abortions, under the act’s definition, they are not considered “limited” and thus are not affected by