An Illinois state appeals court has ruled that pharmacy owners cannot be compelled to stock and sell drugs that violate their religious beliefs. 

The appeals court upheld a lower court injunction prohibiting enforcement of a state regulation governing the availability of so-called “emergency contraceptives.” 

Disgraced  former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich had issued an unlawful administrative rule in 2005 requiring that all pharmacies stock and dispense Plan B, the so-called “morning after pill.”  Emergency contraception, a high dose of regular birth control pills, can chemically abort a pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of intercourse. In some cases, the pill may prevent a fertilized human embryo from implanting in a woman’s uterus — effectively starving the human embryo. 

Two pharmacy owners, Luke Vander Bleek and Glenn Kosirog, challenged the conscience quashing administrative mandate, claiming that it violated their rights under the state’s Health Care Conscience Rights Act and Religious Freedom Restoration Act since they both believe these drugs are abortion-causing agents.

According to report by the Chicago Tribune, the 4th District Appellate Court affirmed but modified a permanent injunction granted by a lower court that had found that state law “protects the pharmacists’ decisions not to dispense emergency contraceptives due to their conscience.”

“This decision is a great victory for religious freedom,” says Mark Rienzi, senior counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberties.  “The government shouldn’t kick business owners out of the market because it dislikes their religious beliefs.” 

“Luke and Glenn are competent and caring professionals who have been diligently serving the public for decades,”  Rienzi comments.  “In a pluralistic society that honors diversity there ought to be room for people like our clients to practice their profession without the threat of government sanctions.” 

The appeals court affirmed the conclusion of a state circuit court that Illinois law “protects the pharmacist’s decision not to dispense emergency contraceptives due to their conscience.”

Read more: Pro-Life Pharmacists Win Huge Victory in Illinois Decision (LifeNews.com)

On Monday, June 27th, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was found guilty on 17 counts of corruption, including charges related to trying to sell or trade the Illinois U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. The jury found him not guilty on one count and deadlocked on two other counts.

It is more than apparent to those of us who closely watch the political scene here in Illinois that there are problems regarding not only politicians, but Illinois government which go far beyond the impeachment, trial and conviction of Rod Blagojevich. Character matters. From Dan Walker to Otto Kerner to George Ryan who is now serving time in a federal prison, corruption seems to be an ingrained part of politics and government business in the state of Illinois. It must be rooted out.

As Christians, our first reaction to Rod Blagojevich’s conviction should be to pray for his young daughters and the devastation of knowing their father is headed to prison. We also need to keep the former governor in prayer, as it would appear that the Lord is humbling and chastening Rod Blagojevich, despite the fact that the former governor continues to proclaim his innocence and repeat the line the he “did nothing wrong.” The question is, when will he heed the call to repent? We need to pray that Rod would seek to draw closer to God and His Truth through this sad experience and the hard times ahead.

Though he did wrong, the staff and board of directors at IFI will pray that God will come into his life and he will accept the forgiveness He made available to all of us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope and pray that this experience will help bring an end to systemic corruption which permeates Illinois politics.

With five of the last nine Illinois governors having been indicted on charges of corruption, one has to wonder if Blagojevich’s impeachment and conviction will influence Illinois politics for good, or if the “Chicago Way” will continue to operate as usual.

This afternoon, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was found guilty of making false statements or representations to the FBI.

After 14 days of deliberation the jury said it was hung on 23 other counts against him and on the charges against the former governor’s brother, Robert Blagojevich. 

It is more than apparent to those of us who closely watch the political scene here in Illinois that there are problems regarding not only politicians, but Illinois government which go far beyond the impeachment, trial and conviction of Rod Blagojevich. Character matters. From Dan Walker to Otto Kerner to George Ryanwho is now serving time in a federal prison, corruption seems to be an ingrained part of politics and government business in the state of Illinois. It must be rooted out. 

But as Christians, our first reaction to Rod Blagojevich’s conviction should be to pray for his young daughters and the devastation of knowing their father is headed to prison. We also need to keep the former governor in prayer, as it would appear that the Lord is humbling and chastening Rod Blagojevich, despite the fact that the former governor continues to proclaim his innocence and repeat the line the he “did nothing wrong.” The question is, when will he heed the call to repent? We need to pray that Rod would seek to draw closer to God and His Truth through this sad experience and the hard times ahead. 

Though he did wrong, the staff and board of directors at IFI will pray that God will come into his life and he will accept the forgiveness He made available to all of us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope and pray that this experience will help bring an end to systemic corruption which permeates Illinois politics. 

Subsequently, Blagojevich’s impeachment and conviction, though personally devastating, may be a good thing in the long run for Illinois politics and Illinois families.

“Bad men cannot make good citizens. 
A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.”
~Patrick Henry