Thomas More Society Praises Court’s Decision After It Submitted Petition to Court

Contact: Tom Brejcha, Esq., Chief Counsel, Thomas More Society, 312-590-3408 cell, 312-782-1680; Paul Linton, Esq., Special Counsel, Thomas More Society, 847-291-3848; Thomas Ciesielka, TC Public Relations, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net

CHICAGO, Sept. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act has taken a giant leap forward. In 1995 the Illinois legislature passed this Act and Governor Jim Edgar signed it, providing that a parent or guardian (or grandparent or step parent residing in the same household) must be notified 48 hours before a child under 18 has an abortion. Until yesterday, however, the Illinois Supreme Court had refused to write rules that the law requires for an appeals process. On Monday, September 18, the Illinois Supreme Court, led by its new Chief Justice Bob Thomas, announced that it will write the rules necessary in order for the Act to be enforceable.  

Just last week, the Chicago-based Thomas More Society delivered a petition to each of the seven Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court, requesting that the Court issue the rules needed to put the Act into effect. The petition was submitted on behalf of a coalition of pro-life, pro-family and religious groups. Tom Brejcha, an attorney with the Thomas More Society, says, “Abortions are invasive medical procedures that can lead to dire physical and emotional consequences.  Only in rare cases (e.g., domestic abuse) should parents be denied the opportunity to give advice and support when their daughters may undergo these surgeries.  We’re pleased that the Court will soon issue new rules which will allow this bipartisan law finally to go into effect.”  

The coalition on the petition included: Illinois Citizens for Life, Illinois Federation for Right to Life, the Illinois Right to Life Committee, the Illinois Family Institute, Concerned Women for America, Eagle Forum of Illinois, Orthodox Christians for Life-Chicago, Lutherans for Life, Concerned Christian Americans, and the Catholic Conference of Illinois.

A COMPLETE COPY OF THE PETITION IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

About the Thomas More Society

The Thomas More Society is a non-profit, public interest law firm based in Chicago, Illinois.  It was founded in 1997 to meet the burgeoning legal needs of the pro-life movement. The Thomas More Society provides legal advice and assistance to those who face harassment, employment discrimination, unjust treatment, civil litigation or criminal prosecution as a result of their pro-life views or their peaceful protest activities.  In the last three years, Thomas More Society has scored two decisive victories (8-1, 2003; 8-0, 2006) before the U.S. Supreme Court in representing the named petitioners in the marathon, nationwide federal class action involving use of the federal racketeering (RICO), extortion and antitrust laws against abortion protesters (Scheidler v. NOW, 537 U.S. 393, 411 (2003), and Scheidler v. NOW, 125 S.Ct. 2991 (2006)).  In addition, the Society has filed numerous 'friend of the Court' briefs in the Supreme Court.

The Thomas More Society draws its name and inspiration from Sir Thomas More (1478-1525), the English lawyer, author and Lord Chancellor who resigned that office on principle, was convicted of treason and put to death by Henry VIII. In addition to the legal representation it provides, the Thomas More Society also recognizes appropriate public policy measures that are intended to protect innocent prenatal human life.