Judge: Free ultrasounds can continue through August in Elgin
A federal judge on Wednesday extended until August a temporary restraining order allowing TLC Pregnancy Services to continue offering women free ultrasounds in its mobile facility while its dispute with the City of Elgin is pending.
TLC, a faith-based organization promoting “pro-life issues, the family and Christian living,” filed a federal lawsuit against the city earlier this month claiming that Elgin’s new zoning restrictions would prevent women from accessing its services, which include providing free ultrasounds and pregnancy tests in privately owned parking lots.
TLC representatives say they have offered the services for about two years in the parking lots of J.B.’s Pub and Evangelical Church of Elgin, with the permission of the owners.
Federal Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan’s order allows the group to offer the services at least through Aug. 21.
Late last summer, Elgin police ordered TLC to cease operating its mobile facility pursuant to an amended city ordinance that classified the vehicle as a “temporary land use.” During a hearing earlier this month, Der-Yeghiayan ruled the regulations were overbroad and vague.