Planned Parenthood Can't Open Aurora Clinic on Schedule
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor- Both sides will be back in court Thursday over fraud accusations.
At least a dozen women had already made appointments for opening day of Planned Parenthood's Aurora, Ill., clinic the largest abortion clinic in the nation. But thanks to a judge's ruling today, preborn babies in the area will get to live at least a few days longer.
The Aurora City Council has decided not to issue a permanent-occupancy permit for the new building until it can determine whether the project's developer, Gemini Office Development, fully disclosed the purpose of the clinic during the permit process, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Last month, neighbors of what had been called the Gemini Health Clinic were shocked to learn the facility will be used for abortions. Apparently, city officials also were kept in the dark. The world's largest abortion provider took its case to federal court late last week, asking for permission to open Tuesday, as planned.
Today, U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle denied Planned Parenthood's request and set another hearing for Thursday. Each side has 24 hours to file papers.
"This is great news, although it's only one proper decision of many the legal system might be asked to make on this situation," said Jill Stanek, a columnist for WorldNetDaily and a public speaker on pro-life issues. "But, at least initially, a judge has quelled Planned Parenthood's gall in asking (the court) to interrupt and override the City of Aurora's investigation into whether PP committed fraud against it."
A full-page Sunday ad with the names of 21 liberal religious leaders called for a "Day of Prayer" in support of Planned Parenthood. The ad ran in the Aurora Beacon, Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald.
"We invite you to join us in spirit today in a Day of Prayer to support Planned Parenthood in its plans to open a health care center in Aurora, Illinois," the ad read. "We support Planned Parenthood because we are pro-faith, pro-family and pro-choice."
The ad stated it was "Paid for by Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area." A copy of the ad is on Stanek's blog.
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics at Focus on the Family Action, said prayer is needed, but not the kind suggested by the ad.
"This is indeed a time for prayer," she said, "prayer that this abortion clinic will not open, prayer for the preborn children who will die there if it does, and prayer for the mothers who will go there because they perceive they have no choice but abortion."
