Illinois AG Agrees to Not Enforce Law Regulating Crisis Pregnancy Centers

The state of Illinois will not enforce a law designed to regulate anti-abortion clinics, known as “crisis pregnancy centers.”

Attorneys with the Thomas More Society, representing anti-abortion centers that have previously challenged the law, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, filed a proposed agreed order in a District Court on Tuesday agreeing to a permanent injunction against the law. 

The measure, known as SB 1909, which would penalize crisis pregnancy centers for “using or employing” false or misleading information as a way to prevent women from getting abortions, was signed into law in July by Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. 

Within an hour, though, anti-abortion groups represented by the Thomas More Society, filed a federal lawsuit that argued that the law was in violation of the First Amendment. Judge Iain Johnston temporarily blocked the law in August, calling the law both “stupid and very likely unconstitutional.”

Crisis pregnancy centers have been criticized for providing misinformation on sexual and reproductive health issues and for using coercive methods to prevent women from getting abortions. Critics also say that these harms are magnified by the fact that people who end up in these centers are in crisis or in a vulnerable state. 

In a statement, Thomas Glessner, founder and president of anti-abortion organization NIFLA said: “We are elated that a permanent injunction has been issued against Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and SB 1909, which ensures this unconstitutional law will never go into effect.” 

He added: “This is a huge win not only for NIFLA and our wonderful attorneys at the Thomas More Society but especially for pregnancy centers in the state, who serve the thousands of women in Illinois who are facing unplanned pregnancies—all at no cost.”

Rauol said that despite the proposed order, he will still continue to work to protect reproductive rights. 

“As filed, this proposed order is agreed to by the parties in this case and in no way affects my ongoing work protecting women’s rights to access the full range of reproductive health services,” he said. “Furthermore, this proposed order does not alter Illinois’ Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act or my office’s preexisting authority under the act, and I remain committed to protecting consumers against all deceptive practices.”