Proposed legislation in the Illinois General Assembly would classify attacks on reproductive health care clinics as terrorism.
In a move close to home for Planned Parenthood’s Peoria location on Knoxville Avenue, the Illinois state house saw the first reading of HB2679 earlier this year.
Specifically, the bill adds a tenth definition of a terrorist act to Illinois’ criminal code: “any act that is intended to cause or create and does cause or create substantial damage to or destruction of any building or facility containing an entity providing reproductive health care as the term is defined in the Reproductive Health Act.”
The result could be stricter penalties and enhanced sentencing for attacks on reproductive health clinics, an outcome supported publicly by the Cook County State’s Attorney. However, advocacy organizations have voiced concerns that the legislation could be “weaponized” against protestors of anti-abortion, nonprofit pregnancy centers. These facilities are usually Christian-affiliated and sometimes established within blocks of Planned Parenthood buildings.
These pregnancy centers could also potentially fall under the definition of reproductive health care provided by the proposed amendment.
In February 2023, Tyler Massengill of Chillicothe pleaded guilty to firebombing the Peoria Planned Parenthood location. He was sentenced to ten years in prison. Court records at the time indicated Massengill believed a Peoria-woman he had previously dated got an abortion while Massengill was away working on a remote Alaskan gold mine. The woman told investigators there was no abortion.
Prosecutors of the case said Massengill told investigators he believed his actions were successful if they caused a “little delay” for anyone looking for services from Planned Parenthood.
At the time of the attack, the Peoria location was not performing surgical abortions. It did offer medication-assisted abortions, cancer screening, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment and gender affirming care treatments.
The Peoria Planned Parenthood office remained closed and recovering until May 2024.
Cristina Villareal, Chief of External Affairs for Planned Parenthood Illinois Action [PPIL Action], said the organization generally supports the legislation, though the intersection of reproductive health and criminal law can be complicated. The firebombing in Peoria, she said, “robbed” the community of needed care.
“We understand that addressing access to sexual and reproductive health care through criminal law is complicated and we appreciate that the conversation is being had,” said Villareal. “We are working together with the State Legislature and other State officials on creating an environment that is safe, healthy and secure for all.”
Planned Parenthood of Illinois Action is a nonprofit organization that functions as the advocacy and political engine for Planned Parenthood in Illinois.
The bill was most recently re-referred to the rules committee after a first reading in February and little movement after.
It’s unclear if the bill will find more traction before the end of the current legislative session on May 31.
