WHEREAS, Illinois has among the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea in the country, and Illinois is ranked 46th in access to contraceptive services; and
WHEREAS, Aurora is the second-largest city in Illinois with a population of more than 157,000 but with few resources for reproductive health care; and
WHEREAS, one-third of Aurora’s population is Latino, and many do not have access to affordable health insurance; and
WHEREAS, despite the attempts from anti-choice protesters to prohibit services that can help prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and detect breast and cervical cancer; and
WHEREAS, Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area remained steadfast in its commitment to deliver health care to the people who need it by opening a health center in Aurora that will provide a range of services to women and families; and
WHEREAS, Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area understands that women deserve access to all reproductive health care options without religious interference, government intrusion, violence or verbal intimidation; and
WHEREAS, Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area has brought resources to the women of Aurora and the surrounding communities that will make it possible for them to freely decide when and whether to start a family and when and whether to expand their family, and to freely determine what is best for them and other important people in their lives; and
WHEREAS, the health center will provide women with the services they need to treat their bodies with reverence and respect;
THEREFORE, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America Clergy Advisory Board is calling upon all religious leaders to join us in celebrating the opening of the Aurora Health Center and to support the staff and volunteers who continue to work to protect women’s access to family planning and reproductive health services. We ask all people of faith to learn to assist those suffering from a lack of affordable health care so we can strengthen our communities.
