Since learning that Forest View Medical Center abortion clinic in Des Plaines, Illinois had closed nearly two months ago, the Pro-Life Action League has continued to keep a close eye on the facility.
After the closing, we knew that the building that formerly housed Forest View was still owned by Vinod and Vijay Goyal, a husband-and-wife team who own more abortion clinics (five) than anyone else in the state, so we were obviously concerned that the Goyals might attempt to open another abortion facility at the site.
And, in fact, we’ve recently learned that’s exactly what they’re planning to do.
In response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Pro-Life Action League has learned [PDF] that the Goyals are planning this summer to open a facility called Apollo Surgical Center in the building that formerly housed the Forest View abortion clinic.
Apollo will be an Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center (ASTC), meaning that it will be legally allowed to perform abortions up to 24 weeks gestation. (By contrast, Forest View was a Pregnancy Termination Specialty Center (PTSC), and was legally allowed to perform abortions up to 18 weeks gestation.)
Apollo’s ASTC application indicates that other services will be offered as well, including gastroenterology and urology. In all likelihood, we suspect, abortions will be done at Apollo one or two days a week, which will allow the Goyals to rent out the facility to other physicians the rest of the week.
City Orders Abortion Clinic to Stop Work
On May 30, I visited the facility and noticed that the lobby contained a bag full of garbage, a hand truck, and some windows still in their original packaging. Clearly, work is still being done at the site, but no building permit was posted on the premises.
I alerted the City of Des Plaines building department and recommended that they send an inspector to the site. I also submitted a FOIA request to the city to find out if any permits had been issued for the building. The city responded promptly to my request and assured me that they would send an inspector to the site.
Contractors working illegally at Apollo Surgical Center in Des Plaines, IL
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Yesterday (June 5), I visited the facility again. Clearly, the city made good on its promise, as a violation notice was posted on Apollo’s front door ordering Apollo to stop construction on its sidewalk. But in defiance of the stop-work order posted mere feet away, contractors were illegally doing work on the sidewalk.
I immediately called the Des Plaines building department to inform them of the situation. They said an inspector would be sent out right away, and that the owners would be fined for violating the stop-work order.
If You See Something, Say Something
Abortionists aren’t above the law, but it’s no surprise when they act as if they are. Instances like this one — which is but one example among many others — illustrate that if you don’t keep an eye on your local abortion clinic, no one will.
Surely this won’t be the last time the Goyals show utter disregard for the law. The next time they do, we’ll be watching.
And we’ll definitely say something.
Reprinted with permission from Pro-Life Action League