Women's Health Clinic Under Attack Before Opening

September 19, 2007

By Linda Berg, Political Director

Opponents of abortion and birth control have vowed to prevent the opening of a new state-of-the-art Planned Parenthood clinic in Aurora, Ill., 35 miles outside Chicago.

The 22,000 square foot clinic was scheduled to open Sept. 18, but legal challenges based on a technicality have kept the doors closed, at least temporarily. When Aurora officials declined to issue an occupancy permit, despite having previously issued a temporary permit, Planned Parenthood went to federal court. A hearing is scheduled for 10am tomorrow.

Once open, the clinic will offer full-service health care for women, including birth control, emergency contraception, PAP tests, pelvic exams, and pregnancy tests. The rate of sexually transmitted diseases has been growing in DuPage County, and the clinic would offer STD-related services in addition to treating other health concerns. Providing the whole range of women's reproductive health services does include access to safe, effective abortion procedures, estimated to constitute less than 10 percent of the clinic's services.

Protesters have been surrounding the building and vowed a 40-day vigil to prevent the clinic from opening. These protests have been countered by Illinois NOW and other abortion rights supporters, who have vowed a visible but peaceful presence supporting and welcoming the facility on behalf of the community.

Illinois NOW President Bonnie Grabenhofer denounced the protestors as "extremists from around the country [who] are wasting the time and resources of the City of Aurora in a futile attempt to force their minority opinion on the community. Unable to show strength nationally, these thugs descend on local communities to threaten, harass and intimidate women."

Illinois NOW Vice President Gay Bruhn said that NOW does not want "Aurora to be taken hostage by these folks."