FORWARDED Email from Waterleaf Women's Center...
We need your help! The Illinois House and Senate have introduced identical unconstitutional bills HB2463 and SB1909 designed to force us to cooperate in some way with abortions or referrals for abortions. Here is a summary…
The bill targets the services provided by pregnancy help centers and sidewalk counselors by making them civilly liable for engaging in “deceptive acts or practice” for any concealment, suppression, or omission of a “material fact.” (material fact is not defined)
Doing so imposes government-compelled speech and suppresses conscience rights and religious freedom, all of which are in violation of the Constitution.
The Illinois Attorney General would have the authority to initiate a complaint against a pregnancy help center if it is “in the public interest.” In other words, an investigation does not necessarily need to be based on any specific complaint.
The Attorney General would also be able to request a court order to “impound” all the records of the center while the investigation continues. An investigation could go on endlessly, forcing the center to eventually close.
If a center is found to be in violation of the Act, penalties include injunctions and civil penalties up to $50,000. Additionally, the Act creates a private right of action, in which any “aggrieved party” can sue a center for a violation of the Act. (“aggrieved party” does not need to have been a client or patient of the center)
Furthermore, the plaintiff in this private lawsuit can recover their attorney fees, but the bill does not provide for pregnancy help centers to recover such fees when a lawsuit is brought in bad faith.
Waterleaf is committed to providing loving and transparent care to our patients. Our process is scripted and is designed to inform our patients of the reality of every option while the ultrasound connects her to the life growing inside her. Through this honest, caring approach, we pray a woman listens to her inner voice and makes a life-affirming decision.
PLEASE JOIN US IN THE FIGHT! We need each one of you to complete a witness slip before the hearing on Tuesday, March 7 at 4:00pm. Here is the link… https://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/147546?committeeHearingId=19838&LegislationId=147546&LegislationDocumentId=184114
See the Witness Slip Instructions to assure proper completion.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
In faith,
The Waterleaf Team
Witness Slip Instructions
How to File Your Witness Slip
A “witness slip” is a statement of support or opposition that you can make in lieu of actually attending a committee hearing. Any Illinois resident 13 or older can take a stand by filing Witness Slips with the Illinois General Assembly. You do not need to attend any hearing in Springfield in order to file a witness slip expressing your view. Here’s how to file your witness slip:
- Fill in the identification section. Unless you are representing an organization
- Write “Self” in the “Firm/Business or Agency,” “Title,” and “Representation” fields
- Mark yourself as an “Opponent” of the bill under the Position section
- Under the Testimony section, click “Record of Appearance Only”. You do not need to attend any hearing in Springfield in order to file a witness slip expressing your view.
- Click “Create(Slip)” and your witness slip will be filed with the state. You will receive a confirmation email at the address you provided
Again, thank you for your support and continued prayers!