Hear about the legal breakthrough in abortion law?

Overhwhelming odds are that you didn’t, even if you live in the state of Illinois, where the landmark decision came down last week.

The story, a small piece, was buried on page 11 of the Chicago Tribune the next day.

A federal appeals court in Chicago on Tuesday breathed new life into a long-dormant Illinois law that requires physicians to notify the parents of teenage girls before performing abortions.

Attorneys on both sides of the issue said the law — which was passed in 1984 and updated in 1995 — would take effect within weeks unless its critics ask for a stay and the three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agrees to put its order on hold pending a rehearing.

Anti-abortion activists applauded the appeals court’s decision as a long-overdue victory, while opponents of the law said the measure was guaranteed to usher in dangerous problems.

“It’s about time the law was approved,” said Thomas Brejcha, president of the Thomas More Society, which fought to have the measure enforced. “It’s ridiculous that it took this long to get a decision.”

For the first time since Roe v. Wade, Illinois parents will be entitled to notification before their minor daughters are taken for abortions. This is no small victory.

“This is an incredible victory for Illinois parents and their children,” said Peter Breen, Executive Director and Legal Counsel of the Thomas More Society.  “Parental involvement laws enjoy overwhelming public support.  These laws promote the integrity of the family and ensure that parents are consulted so that their children are not forced into an abortion decision.  A wealth of social science data indicates that parental involvement laws lead to lower pregnancy rates, out-of-wedlock births and abortions.”

The Obama administration repeatedly insists their goal is to reduce the need for abortions. President Obama also urges families to be more involved with their children, and men to realize ‘fatherhood doesn’t end at conception.’

No logical, reasonable and most of all, truthful argument can be made against parental notice (and the main one opponents try is already covered in this ruling). This is yet another opportunity to see who’s really for choice on this issue…..and who’s fighting to keep information from those making one.