CHICAGO – Citing "serious and irreversible harm to teens," the American Civil Liberties Union asked an Illinois court to strike down a newly effective law that prevents teens from having an abortion unless they notify a parent or go to court.

The lawsuit, on behalf of Illinois medical providers and their patients, notes that most young women who seek abortions already involve their parents and that health care providers help patients facilitate that communication. But, the legal papers filed today focus on the harm to young women, particularly those from dysfunctional homes, who cannot safely involve a parent. Experts involved in the lawsuit cite numerous real-life examples of teens whose parents beat them, threw them out of the house, and/or forced them to become a parent against their will when they found out about the pregnancy. The lawsuit also includes examples of teens who could not turn to a parent and instead took drastic measures to try to end a pregnancy......... Read more of the press release.

• Fact Sheet
• Copy of the Brief filed in state court