Sangamon Sun

In a recent post on social media, Illinois state Sen. Sally Turner (R-Beason) targeted Senate Bill 1909, which she claims unfairly targets clinics that do not perform abortions.

“Senate Bill 1909 unfairly targets privately-funded pregnancy resource centers that do not provide abortion procedures,” she said in a statement posted on Facebook. “The Illinois Attorney General has admitted that he already has the authority under consumer protections laws to go after deceptive practices and fraud committed by both these centers as well as centers that provide abortions.”

Sponsored by state Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), SB1909’s purpose is to prevent pregnancy centers that provide limited services from using deceptive practices or concealing information that would impede a woman’s decision about seeking abortion or emergency contraception. The measure also allows state Attorney General Kwame Raoul to take action when a limited-service center has engaged in activities that are prohibited under the legislation.

“If he already has the authority to do this, why does he and the majority party need specific legislation to go after only non-abortion providing centers?” Turner said in the statement. “Unfortunately, the answer appears very simple: They want to force their own beliefs regarding abortions upon all Illinoisans and shutdown [sic] or silence anyone who disagrees.”

In a March 31 press release issued in response to the bill, Illinois Right to Life claimed that supporters of the legislation are trying to eliminate “choice” for women.

“Abortion advocates in the Illinois legislature demand that women have ‘choice’ – but all they’re accomplishing with this bill is eliminating women’s legitimate choices,” Mary Kate Zander, executive director of Illinois Right to Life, said in the release. “This bill is written to target pro-life pregnancy resource centers and carve out even more protections for abortion providers. It is a shameful display of politics at the expense of Illinois women.”

The release noted that limited-service centers across the state provide a wide range of services free of charge to women, such as pregnancy tests, counseling, ultrasounds and STI testing. The centers can also connect women to other resources, including the organization’s own emergency grant program for pregnant women and mothers, known as “Project Love.”

Turner was sworn in to her 44th District seat in 2021, the Illinois General Assembly website said. Her legislative experience includes serving on the Ethics and Higher Education committees. She resides in Beason.