Illinois action blog

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Chicago City Council Committee Passes 8-Foot 'Bubble Zone' for Health Care Facilities

BREAKING NEWS: This morning, the Chicago City Council Committee passed an 8-foot 'Bubble Zone' for health care facilities with a vote of 2-0. PPIL would like to praise the committee for passing this ordinance, which will help protect patients from intimidation and harassment when receiving health care services. Below is a statement from PPIL President and CEO, Steve Trombley:

Planned Parenthood of Illinois Statement of the Passage of the 8-Foot 'Bubble Zone' for Health Care Facilities by City Council Committee

Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) applauds the Human Relations Committee and lead sponsor of the Chicago City Council and lead sponsor Alderman Vi Daley (D-43) for passing an expansion of the Disorderly Conduct Ordinance to include an 8-foot no approach or 'bubble zone' within 50 feet of hospitals, medical clinics and health care facilities in Chicago.

In recent years, reproductive health care facilities have been the scene of mass demonstrations and disturbances that blocked patients and staff from entering clinics safely.

A bubble zone of eight feet will help ensure that those giving and seeking health care can safely enter and leave medical facilities, keep entrances open, maintain distance between individuals, minimize physical contact and reduce harassment and intimidation.

The bubble zone balances the need to protect patient and staff safety while preserving the freedom of speech.

Bubble zones are in place all over the country, and courts across the nation, from the Supreme Court down, have ruled that safety zones provide an important guarantee of public safety in a fair and constitutional manner that still preserves free speech rights.

Since Dr. George Tiller was assassinated in Wichita in May for providing abortions, PPIL has seen a significant surge in the size and aggressiveness of protestors in front of our health centers. Our clients deserve the right to receive the health care they need without putting their safety, and the safety of our staff and volunteers, in jeopardy.


Steve Trombley
President & CEO
Planned Parenthood of Illinois

Technorati tags: Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Bubble Zone

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not sure this is 100% accurate. I've been to and seen many demonstrations and I've never seen any forceful activities. That I have seen, no one has ever blocked an entrance to a building. Now don't get me wrong, there sometimes are a lot of people there but no one causing any harm.
Also, Mr. Tillers death was very tragic but let us not forget the many people on the "other side" who die yearly for not supporting abortions.

September 30, 2009 at 6:25 PM  
Blogger Planned Parenthood said...

Perhaps our video can help you see the types of disturbances our patients deal with daily?
Also- we completely agree with you about the Tiller comment. NO ONE should have to lose their lives for advocating for what they believe in- no matter what side.

October 7, 2009 at 12:59 PM  

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