Mauck
Baker,
LLC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 23, 2014
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TLC Pregnancy Services settles with Elgin
(Elgin, Ill.—Jan. 23, 2014) The Life Center, Inc. has reached a settlement with the city of Elgin. The settlement agreement permits TLC to operate freely in Elgin, and the city’s disputed zoning ordinance will be amended to benefit all charitable mobile services in Elgin and allow them to operate free of charge. Elgin will also compensate TLC for some of its attorneys’ fees. TLC wishes to emphasize that it has not sought or received damages from the settlement other than partial reimbursement for its legal expenses.
TLC filed a lawsuit against Elgin in March, 2013 after its free mobile ultrasound services for expectant mothers was no longer permitted to operate at its primary locations in 2012 pursuant to a temporary use ordinance. Mauck & Baker represented TLC throughout the lawsuit.
“We are relieved that a settlement has been reached with the City of Elgin. Our main concern was always having the freedom to park TLC’s ultrasound mobile unit in Elgin where the need is the greatest,” said TLC executive director Vivian Maly. “We now look ahead to serving the women and families in our community with the support of the leadership in the City of Elgin.”
On Aug. 8 2013, Federal Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan issued an opinion stating, “The City’s Code is unduly burdensome to the right of a woman to choose life.” After the city appealed the court’s decision, the parties worked together to try and resolve the matter without further litigation.
“Despite the 41 years of acrimonious battle following Roe v. Wade, we hope that Judge DerYeghiayan’s opinion, expressly recognizing a woman’s right to choose life and be fully informed about her pregnancy, is a rational ruling everyone can support,” said TLC’s attorney Noel Sterett. “Pregnant women are better served when they are fully informed.”
“TLC is grateful for Mauck & Baker’s excellent representation and diligent work on behalf of expectant mothers and unborn children in Elgin,” said John Juergensmeyer, TLC’s board chairman. “TLC wishes to thank the Mayor and members of the Elgin City Council for their repeated individual expressions of support for TLC’s services to the Elgin community.” View Judge Der-Yeghiayan’s order issued on January 22, 2014.
For press inquiries, contact Attorney Noel W. Sterett at 312-726-6454 or nsterett@mauckbaker.com and Attorney John Mauck at 312-853-8709 or jmauck@mauckbaker.com.