Kane County, Ill., Judge Throws Out Parts Of Defamation Lawsuit Against Planned Parenthood Of Illinois

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 05 Sep 2008 - 9:00 PST

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A Kane County, Ill., judge threw out significant portions of a defamation lawsuit brought by an antiabortion group against Planned Parenthood of Illinois, the Chicago Tribune reports. According to the Tribune, PPIL's plans to open a clinic in Aurora, Ill., last year "set off months of controversy." The clinic opened in October 2007 after obtaining the necessary permits.

Eric Scheidler and the Pro-Life Action League filed a lawsuit last fall, claiming that PPIL President Steve Trombley defamed the league in written statements to the Aurora City Council and in an advertisement in a local newspaper by stating that the Pro-Life Action League had a "history of violence." Judge Judith Brawka granted PPIL's request to dismiss the lawsuit under the Illinois Citizen Participation Act, which is intended to "protect and encourage" public participation in government.

Scheidler said the law is not being properly used. "The Citizen Participation Act has been turned on its head," Scheidler said, adding, "Now a big special-interest group is allowed to intimidate the little guy and get away with lying about us to the public." Leah Bruno, a lawyer for PPIL, said the judge's decision confirms PPIL's argument, which is that political speech should be protected (Chicago Tribune, 9/3).

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