In Illinois, emergency birth control is available to anyone who needs it at any pharmacy in the state. This availability, however, may soon change.

Lawmakers are working toward passing a bill that would allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for the “morning-after” pill based on their moral convictions.

In response to recent reactions to his ruling and the suggested solutions to the issue, Gov. Rod Blagojevich declared in his State of the State Address on Jan. 18, “I understand that several bills have been introduced that would overturn my executive order to protect women’s reproductive freedoms. Let me make something else very clear – if any of those bills reach my desk, they are dead on arrival.”

Due to an emergency ruling Blagojevich issued in April 2005, pharmacies are required to fill prescriptions for in-stock emergency contraceptives without delay.

Those who disagree with the governor’s order proposed four bills which would overturn the executive order, and potentially place pharmacists officially under the “right of conscience” rule. Currently, this law allows health care professionals the freedom to deny medical service if they are not comfortable with it.

Any bill proposed will need to be passed by a three-fifths majority of the Illinois General Assembly in order to overturn Blagojevich’s expected veto.

Local representatives are split on the issue.

State Rep. Bob Pritchard (R-Hinckley) said his vote is contingent on many different factors. “Before I could tell you how I would vote, I would have to look at what the bill is. My concerns are protecting all citizens’ values and rights.”

“Craft a bill that is legal and honors an individual’s right, yet still allows a retailer to honor their conscience. My concerns are to honor an individual’s choice [not to sell the drug] as long as it doesn’t affect a person’s ability to buy the product,” he said.

Rep. Charles Jefferson (D-Rockford) holds an opposing view. “I have no problem with Blagojevich’s ruling. I would need to hear discussion on both sides of the issue because there are good arguments that would be made, but as of now, I would vote against the bills.”