Illinois Pregnancy Centers Face Consequences for Misleading Clients on Abortion

Illinois crisis pregnancy centers, which provide alternatives to abortion, could face penalties if they disseminate misleading or untruthful information, according to a new law signed by Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker. The law aims to protect abortion access and applies the state's consumer protection statute to these centers. The move has been met with legal challenges from pregnancy centers and anti-abortion groups, who argue that it infringes on their free speech rights. The law allows fines of up to $50,000 and court orders to stop banned activities. Similar laws have been enacted in other Democratic-led states, while Republican-controlled states have increased aid to pregnancy crisis centers.