Key Meeting in Edwardsville on Friday, June 2nd, Can We Count on You?

As you may know, last year Governor Blagojevich proposed and implemented a rule that requires pharmacies in Illinois that stock contraceptives to dispense those medications without delay. This action was in response to numerous incidents in which women were refused their lawful prescriptions for contraception at pharmacies in Illinois. Since then, the number of incidents of delay and refusal has decreased. However, some women and medical providers still encounter hassles when they attempt to have a prescription for contraception filled. In at least one instance, the pharmacy staff misled a patient, claiming the medication was out of stock when it was available immediately.

To insure that last year's rule be enforced and followed, the Governor proposed another rule regarding a pharmacy's duty to dispense contraceptives. This new rule requires that pharmacies post information on the rights of individuals to have prescriptions for contraceptives filled. The aim of the new rule is to ensure that each customer knows her rights so that she will not be deterred by unnecessary delay at the pharmacy counter.

On Friday, June 2nd, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will hold a key hearing in Edwardsville in support of the proposed new rule. The hearing begins at 11:00 a.m. and concludes at 2:00p.m., in the University Center Building at the University Conference Center on the campus of SIU-Edwardsville.

We need you to demonstrate support for access to contraception in Illinois! Plan to attend Friday's meeting. You need not testify in order to attend, but testimony in support of the rule is welcome. You can read the testimony of ACLU of Illinois Legislative Director Mary Dixon at http://www.aclu-il.org/legislative/dixontestimony.pdf.

If you can attend, please let Mary know by emailing mdixon@aclu-il.org. Thank you for supporting this important initiative.