Cook County Top Prosecutor Pushes for Changes in Illinois Law

Introduction to the Proposal

Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke is calling for Illinois lawmakers to include attacks against reproductive health centers as an act of terrorism following a car bombing outside a fertility clinic in California. O’Neill Burke issued a call this week for legislation that would amend the state criminal code to define any act that creates substantial damage to a reproductive health clinic or facility as terrorism.

The Proposed Legislation

“This is exactly why I worked to introduce legislation that ensures any such incident in Illinois is treated as the terrorist act that it is, and it’s a shame certain interest groups and legislators worked behind the scenes to put a brick on it,” O’Neill Burke said in a prepared statement. The bills are pending in the Legislature, and lawmakers are expected to wrap up the session by May 31. The legislation was introduced in February and there hasn’t been any action since, giving them little chance of passing by the end of the month.

The California Fertility Clinic Bombing

The bombing happened Saturday outside the American Reproductive Centers, a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, Calif., and left four people injured. The person whom the FBI believes was responsible died at the scene and left behind writings indicating he was against people continuing to have children, the Associated Press reported. Across the country, abortion providers in 2023 and 2024 reported at least 12 instances of bomb threats and 30 suspicious packages or hoax devices, according to the National Abortion Federation’s 2024 Violence and Disruption Report.

Reactions from Organizations

Planned Parenthood of Illinois had to close its Peoria Health Center for more than a year after it was damaged by a firebombing in January 2023. Cristina Villarreal, chief of external affairs for Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, said the organization supports more protections for patients and providers. “Addressing access to sexual and reproductive health care through criminal law is complicated, and we appreciate that the conversation is being had,” Villarreal said in a statement. “We are working with the state Legislature and other state officials on creating an environment that is safe, healthy and secure for all.”

Concerns and Opposition

The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois does not support the legislation as initially filed, said Ed Yohnka, the director of communications and public policy. One concern is that it could be weaponized against those who protest clinics run by abortion opponents and provide other services to pregnant women. Yohnka said they have heard from providers, particularly downstate, that they get inconsistent responses from local police when making complaints, especially if a local sheriff or state’s attorney was aligned with an anti-abortion platform when they were seeking office.

Response to Concerns

The state’s attorney’s office said opposition centered around an enhanced sentencing penalty for state terrorism charges. But Yvette Loizon, chief of policy for the office, said that was already in place and not part of their bill. “When a person commits an act of terrorism, when they are committing bombings or some other violent-related offense, to prohibit women from exercising their fundamental freedom to seek reproductive health care … that conduct is so egregious that it’s appropriate to have enhanced sentencing structure that was in place,” Loizon said.

Impact on Health Clinics

Andrea Gallegos, the executive administrator at Alamo Women’s Clinic in Carbondale, said health clinics providing abortion services have always been targets for vandalism and protests — even before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Gallegos said she was not familiar with the legislation Burke was pushing in Springfield, but she believes the harassment that patients receive when they try to access care at their clinic should be considered an act of violence. “It does feel like the Trump administration doesn’t have our back as abortion providers,” she said. “And I think that it is up to local law enforcement and legislators to be aware and show up and intervene when necessary.”

Conclusion

The call for legislation to classify attacks on reproductive health centers as acts of terrorism highlights the ongoing challenges faced by these facilities and their patients. As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for lawmakers, law enforcement, and the community to work together to ensure the safety and security of those seeking reproductive health care.

FAQs

1. What is the proposed legislation about?

   • The proposed legislation aims to amend the state criminal code to define any act that creates substantial damage to a reproductive health clinic or facility as terrorism.

2. What incident prompted this call for legislation?

   • The call for legislation was prompted by a car bombing outside a fertility clinic in California, which left four people injured.

3. What are the concerns regarding the legislation?

   • Concerns include the potential for the legislation to be weaponized against those who protest clinics, and inconsistent responses from local police to complaints from providers.

4. How do organizations like Planned Parenthood view the legislation?

   • Organizations like Planned Parenthood support more protections for patients and providers but note that addressing access to sexual and reproductive health care through criminal law is complicated.
5. What is the current status of the legislation?
   • The bills are pending in the Legislature, with little chance of passing by the end of the month due to inaction since their introduction in February.