"For years, Planned Parenthood has run roughshod over the rights of ordinary citizens,” said Jim Sedlak, vice president of American Life League. “It is heartening that a federal judge in Illinois has refused to be pressured by Planned Parenthood.” Earlier today, U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle delayed the opening of a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Aurora, Illinois pending the results of a Thursday hearing. The clinic was to have opened tomorrow.
“Planned Parenthood used underhanded tactics to build its abortion facility in Aurora,” said Sedlak, “and now it wants all of its shenanigans to be ignored. Planned Parenthood is demanding that a certificate of occupancy to be issued, as if the organization had been forthcoming from the beginning. That is ludicrous.”
Foes of the abortion clinic have uncovered what appear to be clear irregularities in the permitting process and have asked the Aurora city council to look into the situation before issuing an occupancy permit. The council agreed and engaged an outside attorney to review the process. A company called Gemini Office Development LLC applied for various construction and occupancy permits without disclosing that the building in question was actually a Planned Parenthood abortion facility, even going so far as to say that the new building’s tenant was unknown. The city of Aurora does not want to issue the occupancy permit until the results of its review are in and all the facts are known. Planned Parenthood wants the permit issued immediately.
“While the final outcome of the judge’s review is not yet known,” Sedlak said, “we applaud Judge Norgle for wanting all the facts before making a ruling. We encourage him to put off his decision until the city council review of the permitting process is completed and all the facts are in.”
Release issued: 17 Sep 07
