McHenry County Blog has previously reported of Marian Central High School-educated Rockford Federal Judge Iain Johnston’s decision in a case involving Johnsburg’s 1st Way Pregnancy Support Service.
Now comes The Federalist with an article on the decision.
Included in it is a summary of the decision and the reaction of 1st Way Exec Judy Cocks:
“Judge Johnston’s decision in Thomas More Society’s legal challenge to SB 1564, Schroeder v. Treto, Jr., struck down the state’s abortion promotion mandate as a violation of the First Amendment in a resounding victory for free speech. It makes clear that forcing pro-life ministries to voice ideological talking points they reject as false is not only unconscionable, but also unconstitutional. As Johnston wrote, ‘The First Amendment protects both the right to speak freely and the right to refrain from speaking at all.’
“However, Johnston’s decision was only a partial victory for pro-life doctors and pregnancy centers. While the abortion promotion mandate was struck down, the decision upheld the state’s abortion referral mandate as constitutional, allowing it to remain on the books.”
The Thomas More Society, which litigated the case, is appealing the abortion referral part of the law that Republican Governor Bruce Rauner signed.
Here is Cocks’ reaction:
“We cannot, in good conscience, recommend or refer for abortion.
“That’s not who we are, and it hurts our hearts to even contemplate being mandated to do so.”
