From the Chicago Tribune:
The Chicago City Council today voted 27-11 to pass an ordinance creating a so-called bubble zone requiring anti-abortion activists to keep their distance from people entering clinics.
Support the Health Facility Buffer Zone Ordinance!
Chicago NOW Joins Planned Parenthood in Support of the Health Facility Buffer Zone Ordinance!
The City Counsel Votes This Wednesday! Take Action Today!
From our Friends at Planned Parenthood:
Alderman Vi Daley’s proposed ordinance amends the Disorderly Conduct section of the Municipal Code of Chicago to:
- Create a 50 foot buffer zone around any entrance door to a hospital, medical clinic or health care facility. Within this zone, individuals are prohibited from approaching within 8 feet of a person for the purpose of passing a leaflet or handbill, displaying a sign, or engaging in oral protest, education, or counseling unless the other person gives consent.
- Prohibits the use of force or threat of force, physical obstruction, injury or intimidation to interfere with any person entering or leaving any hospital, medical clinic or health care facility.
- A person convicted of disorderly conduct is subject to a fine up to $500 for each offense.
The proposed buffer zone amendment protects public safety, medical privacy, and free speech. It is a reasonable balance that reasonable people will support.
Take Action!
Call the City Counsel: 312-744-6800
Contact Your Alderman: http://www.chicityclerk.com/citycouncil/alderman/find.html
Text of the Amendment:
SECTION 1. Section 8-4-010 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby amended by inserting the underscored language as follows:
8‑4‑010 Disorderly conduct.
A person commits disorderly conduct when he knowingly:
(k) Either: (1) knowingly approaches another person within eight feet of such person, unless such other person consents, for the purpose of passing a leaflet or handbill to, displaying a sign to, or engaging in oral protest, education, or counseling with such other person in the public way within a radius of 50 feet from any entrance door to a hospital, medical clinic or healthcare facility, or (2) by force or threat of force or by physical obstruction, intentionally injures, intimidates or interferes with or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with any person entering or leaving any hospital, medical clinic or healthcare facility.
A person convicted of disorderly conduct shall be fined not more than $500.00 for each offense.