Pro-Life Win in Illinois, For Now

It hasn’t made much national news, but the Illinois House Bill 2354 was defeated today, without even enough support to be brought up for a house vote. Known as “Illinois FOCA,” the bill would have made abortion a fundamental right, outlawed parental notification for minors, expanded public funding for abortion, removed the conscience clause for doctors and nurses who oppose abortion, and mandate comprehensive sex education in every public school. In many ways, it was a test case for the national FOCA. Its leading supporters were, unsurprisingly, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU.

The victory is temporary in a sense, since the bill is simply shelved for the year. But the defeat of the bill is a result of many people speaking with one voice, including leadership from Illinois bishops. See below the video from Cardinal George.