JUDGE BLOCKS ENFORCEMENT OF ABORTION NOTIFICATION LAW

ROCKFORD — A federal judge has ruled an Illinois law requiring hospital and medical clinic professionals to tell pregnant women about all their available options, including abortion, can’t be enforced.

U. S. District Court Judge Frederick Kapala says until litigation is settled, the law shouldn’t be enforced, according to the Chicago Tribune

The Thomas More Society filed a lawsuit in March. It targets a provision lawmakers added last year to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act. It requires physicians to discuss all medical options available to patients.

The society contends the law forces health care providers who are opposed to abortion to discuss the procedure and refer a patient for an abortion if requested. They call it a violation of the U. S. Constitution and federal law that protect health workers from forced involvement in abortion.

Defendants include Gov. Bruce Rauner and U. S. Health and Human Services officials.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office declined comment.

Illinois hit by floods, drought

CHAMPAIGN— Experts say heavy rain and flooding affected northern Illinois in July while the central and southern parts of the state saw dry weather that caused crop damage.

Data from the Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois show that on average statewide precipitation during July was about 4.8 inches — about three- quarters of an inch above normal. Northwestern and northeastern Illinois saw averages of more than 7 ½ inches of rain, making it the third wettest July on record.

Cary in McHenry County had 13.34 inches of rain during July, followed by Gurnee with 13.21 inches. But other areas had little rainfall. The lowest monthly total was at Quincy Dam, where about seven- tenths of an inch was recorded.