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Pro-life ministries in Illinois have secured a significant victory against the state's attempt to limit their free speech rights and label pro-life speech as a "deceptive business practice." Darren Bailey, a candidate for Congressional District 12, expressed his delight on social media following the ruling against a controversial Illinois law targeting crisis pregnancy centers.

“A victory for free speech and life in Illinois,” Bailey said on Facebook.

The law under scrutiny, viewed by many as an unconstitutional overreach, had granted the Illinois Attorney General extraordinary powers to target crisis pregnancy centers. Critics contended that it posed a threat to the First Amendment rights of these centers and undermined the fundamental principles of free speech and the right to life.

Bailey referenced a press release noting the permanent injunction against Senate Bill 1909 (S.B. 1909) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. 

“This law was an extreme attempt by the far left to silence anyone opposing their radical agenda. It was designed to shut down crisis pregnancy centers through unjust fines and unwarranted investigations, initiated by anyone, even those unrelated to these centers. This ruling is a triumph against these oppressive tactics,” Bailey asserted.

“The left’s hypocrisy is evident. They preach choice but only endorse one - abortion. J.B. Pritzker and the Democrats in Springfield are the extremists on this issue, and we need to make that clear.”

“Today’s ruling is a testament to the relentless fight for the unborn and unwavering commitment to free speech. As your representative in Washington, I will continue standing with you in this fight to defend life and our fundamental freedoms against any overreach.”

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, faced with mounting legal pressure, agreed to a permanent injunction preventing the enforcement of a law known as Senate Bill 1909 (SB 1909). The law had controversially deemed pro-life speech as consumer fraud and restricted the sharing of information about abortion risks.

The Thomas More Society, representing pro-life organizations including the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), filed a joint motion with the Attorney General in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to enter an agreed order, effectively putting an end to the enforcement of SB 1909.

The court’s decision hailed as a significant win for pro-life ministries and free speech, is expected to serve as a warning to other states contemplating similar discriminatory laws targeting pro-life viewpoints.

“The federal court was spot on in holding that SB 1909 is ‘both stupid and very likely unconstitutional,‘” Peter Breen, Thomas More Society Executive Vice President and Head of Litigation, said in a press release.

“SB 1909 exempts abortion facilities and their speech, while exclusively regulating pro-life organizations and their speech, in flagrant violation of the First Amendment. This law is just one of a number of illegal new laws enacted across the country that restrict pro-life speech—we hope this permanent injunction, with full attorney’s fees, serves as a warning to other states that would seek to follow Illinois and try to silence pro-life viewpoints. We are honored to represent NIFLA and other life-affirming organizations to protect them from unjust laws like SB 1909 that seek to put a halt to their good work.”

Bailey, formerly a state senator and now a 2022 GOP candidate, has deep roots in southern Illinois. He grew up on the Bailey Family Farm which he now owns and operates with his sons. According to their business website, they manage Bailey Family Grain, Bailey Family Freight, and BNB Excavating.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.)  has represented Illinois' 12th Congressional District since 2015. The district includes numerous counties and significant portions of St. Clair County and half of Coles County fall within its boundaries according to GovTrack.