SB1909 prohibits pro-life limited-services pregnancy centers from using “unfair” competition or “deceptive” practices to prevent individuals from accessing abortion or emergency contraception providers, persuade individuals to use their services, “mislead” in advertising or offering pregnancy-related services, or conduct pregnancy-related services “unfairly” or “deceptively”.
The Illinois State Senate passed SB1909 on March 31, 2023 by a vote of 36 to 19. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this is a clear example of government overreach and the weaponization of legislative power against political opponents. By imposing restrictions on limited services pregnancy centers under the guise of preventing unfair competition and deceptive practices, this legislation undermines freedom of speech. It sets a dangerous precedent of using government authority to target and suppress certain viewpoints within the realm of abortion.