THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS issued an emergency ruling today after several women were turned away by pharmacies that refused to fill their prescriptions for contraceptives.

Responding to recent complaints filed against a licensed Illinois pharmacy that refused to dispense prescription contraceptives, Gov. Rod Blagojevich today filed an emergency rule that clarifies pharmacies in Illinois that sell contraceptives must accept and fill prescriptions for contraceptives without delay. The Governor was joined by leaders of national and local women’s organizations in announcing today’s action. Over the past two years, the Governor has worked with lawmakers to expand women’s access to contraceptives and other important health care services. Today’s action is intended to ensure Illinois continues to move forward, not backward, in helping women obtain the care they need.

“Five weeks ago, two women called in prescriptions to their local pharmacy in the South Loop to purchase contraceptives. The law gives them every right to do that. Each woman had a prescription from her doctor. Both women only sought to buy contraceptives. And yet both were denied. Why? Because the pharmacist refused to fill the prescription. Unfortunately, this story is not unique to Chicago or to Illinois. Cases like this have been popping up all over the country. It’s happened in Wisconsin, Texas, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, California, and in other states around the country. Now I don’t believe this is a coincidence. I have a sneaking suspicion that in all likelihood, this is part of a concerted effort to deny women access to birth control. Those involved in this effort may be getting away with this in other states, but here in Illinois, we are not going to let that happen,” said Gov. Blagojevich.

Hooray for Illinois, land of Lincoln, Sandburg, and Blagojevich!

And a tip of the hat to Nellie at Dancing with Derrida.