Abortion foes gather in Oak Brook
More than two dozen organizations and more than 500 people gathered Saturday in Oak Brook for the 20th annual SpeakOut Illinois conference, an anti-abortion event that organizers said is designed to change "hearts and minds" about the issue.
The conference, held at the Doubletree Hotel, included guest speakers, a special program for teens and an expo featuring informational booths from anti-abortion groups throughout Illinois.
Tommie Romano, one of the organizers, said she was happy with the turnout and the progress she believes the anti-abortion movement is making in America.
"We'd love to see the Roe v. Wade law changed, but what we're focused primarily on here is changing hearts and minds of people across the country," Romano said. "And it seems to be happening. Polls are coming out showing more than half of Americans consider themselves pro-life."
Mundelein resident Carol Schultz said she attended the conference in part to spread the word about the group she volunteers for - Aid for Women of Northern Lake County. The not-for-profit group offers counseling services and pregnancy/maternity assistance - vitamins, diapers, baby formula - designed to steer women away from the choice of abortion.
"Many of the women who come to us are in a panicked state," Schultz said. "We sit down with them, show them the options they have and then do what we can to help them through that first year of motherhood. We hear back from moms all the time, thanking us for encouraging them to choose life."
Lombard resident Diane Schroeder represented a similar group: CareNet Pregnancy Services of DuPage, which has offices in Downers Grove, Wood Dale and Glen Ellyn, with a Naperville location opening soon.
"Our mission is to provide help, not judgment," Schroeder said. "This conference gives us a chance to spread the word that there is help out there for those facing an unplanned pregnancy, that abortion isn't the only answer."
The speakers at the conference were Phil Kline, a former attorney general in Kansas; Lila Rose, an anti-abortion activist; and Austin Ruse, president of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute.
Between 100 and 150 teens attended the conference, going through a special Teen Speak program.
"I wanted to learn more about this issue and see what's happening at other high schools," said Rita Witteman, an 18-year-old senior at Riverside-Brookfield High School in Riverside. "Young people are very interested in this issue. They understand that this has a big effect on us now, and in the future, too."