Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

Court blocks law requiring teen's parents to be notified before abortion

Hours after a state board voted Wednesday to allow the enforcement of an Illinois law requiring a teenage girl's parents be notified before she has an abortion, a judge issued a temporary restraining order putting the measure back on hold.

The order will remain in effect until the judge can hear arguments on the issue. Cook County Judge Daniel Riley said he felt the American Civil Liberties Union, which sought the order, "demonstrated the distinct possibility of irreparable harm."

Here is some metro-east reaction to the law:

Ann Polka, retired pro-life coordinator for the Catholic Dioces of Belleville

Ann Polka said that because of the notification law, "young girls are going to have the help from their parents, instead of strangers who stand to profit from their circumstances."

Polka said the law will protect the young teenage girls and help put them in the protection of their parents.

Polka was part of the original lobbying process 14 years ago. "I lobbied until Gov. (Jim) Edgar signed it. It should have passed a long time before that," she said.

Sally Burgess, the executive director for Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City

Sally Burgess called the law "one of the most dangerous laws. Teens ought to be able to access the health care they need, close to home, where they are safe, whether they choose to tell their parents or not."

Burgess said that she has more than 20 years experience working with teens, and that most teens come in with their mothers or the mothers make the appointment for them to get the abortion.

"But, there is going to be the rare young woman who knows for a fact that telling her mom would get her physically abused or get kicked out of the house," Burgess said.

-- Compiled by Brittany Palmer