Illinois Conscience Law Abortion Discussion Mandate Struck Down

Illinois can’t require medical professionals seeking to take advantage of a state conscience law’s liability shield to discuss the risks and benefits of an abortion with their patients, a federal court said.

The compelled discussion provision violates the First Amendment’s free-speech clause and thus is unconstitutional, the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois said April 4. The state, however, can require professionals to refer, transfer, or provide written information about abortion providers to patients who request it because that provision doesn’t compel speech, Judge Iain D. Johnston said.

Johnston granted the anti-abortion group National Institute of Family ...