Illinois Outlaws Conscience

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, surrounded by abortion rights supporters from around the country, issued an emergency rule Friday compelling pharmacists to dispense contraceptives even if they believe the drugs kill the unborn.

Karen Brauer, president of Pharmacists for Life International, said Blagojevich's order was "crazy" and "nuts."

"The governor's so-called emergency rule tramples the religious liberty of pharmacists and smacks of the worst type of religious bigotry," said Nikolas T. Nikas, general counsel of Americans United for Life.