After being shut down by the Illinois Dept. of Public Health in September, the Northern Illinois Women's Center in Rockford officially announced its demise following years of vigilant prayers and sidewalk counseling by local pro-life activists.
For background, read Pro-lifers Assaulted at Rockford Abortion Clinic
UPDATE 1/21/12: Illinois Abortion Clinics Passed without Inspections
-- From "Stateline's Only Abortion Clinic to Close Permanently" by Stephen Johnson & Tina Stein, WIFR-TV23 1/13/12
The director is quoted as saying the decision comes in light of lack of support from the community, political climate surrounding abortion issues, and the challenge of rebuilding staff. Just last week the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the center could reopen since it had fixed health and safety concerns that shut it down in Sept.
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From "Rockford abortion clinic closing draws reaction from both sides" by Corina Curry, Rockford Register Star 1/13/12
[The State] gave the clinic two options. It could reopen, pay a $9,750 fine and be subject to immediate license revocation if it breached certain state regulations. Or the clinic could pay a $1,000 fine, voluntarily relinquish its operating license and close.
The clinic at 1400 Broadway was the region’s sole abortion clinic. The closest clinics to the Rockford area are in Madison, Wis., 70 miles north, or about 70 miles to the east in the Chicago suburbs.
The clinic has been the site of weekly protests from anti-abortion advocates who often carry signs with anti-abortion messages on the sidewalks outside the Broadway building, praying for the end of abortion and encouraging patients to change their minds about getting an abortion.
“The city has always been committed to make certain during the operation of the clinic that residents wanting to express their First Amendment rights are safe and free to do so,” said city Legal Director Patrick Hayes.
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From "Abortion Biz in Rockford, Illinois Shut Down Permanently" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com 1/13/12
The state health department report found the Northern Illinois Women’s Center abortion business violated the stipulations of the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Licensing Requirements Code and Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, which makes abortion centers abide by the same rules and regulations that apply to legitimate medical centers doing outpatient surgeries.
Stephenson County Right To Life applauded the news in a statement: “NIWC said they would not reopen for many reasons, one of which is “lack of support”. Certainly their inability or their unwillingness to comply with existing laws is one of the major factors in their own demise. Some in the pro-abortion group would like to blame the pro-life community for this occurrence. Their unprofessionalism, their blatant disregard for the laws, and their lack of concern for the health and safety of women, to the point of contempt towards women, is another major part of this closing.”
“The staff of the Rockford Pro-Life Initiative and the Pro Life Corner would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the prayer warriors, sidewalk counselors, and the countless individuals who worked and prayed so hard to bring light and truth to the Rockford area,” it continued.
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