 "Photo: auroraplannedparenthood.org")
Planned Parenthood opened a new full-service, 22000 sq.ft. health center in Aurora, Illinois' second largest city and most critical area to target high levels of sexual diseases and teen pregnancy.
According to Planned Parenthood, Aurora's four straddling county populations rapidly grew between 1990 and 2000 - DuPage by 15.7 percent, Kane 27.3 percent, Will 40 percent and Kendall 38.4 percent. Levels of AIDS cases grew, bringing Illinois at its current sixth ranking in the nation. Cases of STDs such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia rose or leveled, furthering Illinois' notoriety. Reproductive health service facilities bring these statistics down, but the taboo of such services and the social and moral delicacy of abortion pose strain on both law makers and citizens to push the question of reproductive health clinics.
Attention to areas with high density, low socio-economic populations with bare healthcare options was lacking the most in the Aurora area. The closest abortion provider was 20 miles from Aurora, but that is changed. The need for reproductive healthcare service was evidenced when the Planned Parenthood center in Naperville opened to later reported 13,700 visits last year, and even priced clinics proliferating about northern Illinois' wealthier counties.
For 60 years Planned Parenthood has provided the Chicago with non-profit medical services, education, counseling, and advocacy programs. They served more than 54,000 unique medical clients last year alone between their 10 clinics.
Some of the medical services they provide are birth control and contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, pap tests, abortion and other gynecological services, counseling and finally adoption referrals. Planned Parenthood's Community Education department offers comprehensive sexuality education programs as well, furthering their efforts to prevent unintended pregnancies, but to help individuals make that decision on their own with education as a tool.
Originally planned to open Sept. 18, Planned Parenthood was in court proving allegations of committed fraud false at Aurora City Council. On Oct. 2 their occupancy and permit was issued by Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner to open that same day.
"Knowing the tactics of our extremist opponents, we chose to take a low-visibility approach in building our health center in Aurora. At the same time, we took great measures to ensure that we did everything legally and truthfully," said Steve Trombley, President and CEO of Planned Parenting/Chicago Area.
Being a not-for-profit center completely accessible to all further angered anti-abortion protestors. Since the opening of the Planned Parenthood center, citizens of Aurora's surrounding four counties have protested outside the center and have voiced concerns at every town meeting.
The city has set a date to hear anti-abortion activists' appeal of Planned Parenthood's zoning approvals. The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 28 in the council chambers at Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place ("Zoning appeal set for clinic," Nov. 3).
Teen pregnancy has gone down since the 1950s, the era of teen brides, but even after the sexual revolution there is much to be improved upon. Planned Parenthood states the relevance of teen pregnancy today is Illinois ranking 18th in the U.S. for teen pregnancy rates, a rate of 60 births per 1,000, higher than the national birthrate of 56.8. Sexually-transmitted infections and birth defects are other things to consider for teen mom and baby, but to still be struggling with these issues is ridiculous for a generation that should know better from history.
"The services are often something that many women take for granted. But the reality is, many women (including many women in college) don't have access or can't afford some of these life-saving services. Nearly 850 communities across America have welcomed Planned Parenthood because they know we give women an accessible place to go for quality, affordable healthcare. In fact, one in four women in the area visited planned parenting the first week we opened," said Trombley.
No matter a young or mature woman's decision, it is important to know that woman always have choices and a voice in the matter of their future. Women alone are responsible for their own selections.
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