Lawsuit challenges Chicago ‘bubble zone’ for abortion clinics

Pro-life attorneys filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging the constitutionality of a Chicago ordinance that regulates speech outside of abortion clinics.

The law makes it illegal to come within 8 feet of anyone who is walking toward an abortion clinic within 50 feet of the clinic entrance.

The law is being challenged by the Pro-Life Action League and others who counsel women outside of abortion clinics.

Thomas Olp, senior counsel at the Thomas More Society, which represents the plaintiffs, said pro-life advocates are being “singled out” for speech regulations.

“The precious right of free speech — so central to our democracy — is being denied to these individuals on the basis of their pro-life beliefs,” Mr. Olp said in a statement.

He said the law was created “solely to discriminate against people who wish to offer abortion-bound women information about alternatives to abortion.”

The lawsuit contends Chicago-area police have routinely suppressed the speech of pro-life advocates and have wrongfully arrested several sidewalk counselors since the ordinance was enacted.

Ann Scheidler, vice president of the Pro-Life Action League, said she believes the law will ultimately be revoked, pointing to the Supreme Court’s 2014 decision in McCullen v. Coakley, which struck down a Massachusetts abortion clinic “buffer zone” law.

“Now it’s time for Chicago’s unconstitutional ’bubble zone’ to burst,” Ms. Scheidler said in a statement.

Linda Diamond Shapiro, interim CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, said the ’bubble zone’ ordinance is necessary to ensure women seeking abortions aren’t subject to “intimidation and harassment.”

“A bubble zone of eight feet enables staff and patients to go in and out of health centers without being swarmed by protesters,” Ms. Shaprio said in a statement. “This small distance can make an enormous difference in keeping entrances accessible and reducing aggressive confrontations.”