Health department yanks license of abortion clinic

Health officials have yanked the license of an abortion clinic in Rockford, citing the lack of an experienced operating room nurse and other problems.

The Illinois Department of Public Health issued an emergency license suspension Friday, fining the Northern Illinois Women’s Center $15,000.

A woman answering the center’s phone Tuesday said she’d been told by the facility’s director not to comment. The center’s website says the director is Dr. Dennis Christensen of Madison, Wis.

Health department spokeswoman Melaney Arnold says the facility hasn’t requested a hearing.

The license suspension says center doctors lacked surgery privileges at an Illinois licensed hospital. A September inspection found staff members who weren’t qualified were giving medications to patients.

The Rockford Register Star reports the clinic has attracted anti-abortion protests.