Mayor grants ultrasound bus 7-time parking pass
Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey
Online Staff Report
As promised, Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) has issued an Elgin pregnancy services firm a pass to park its mobile ultrasound vehicle on Rockford streets for the next seven Fridays.
The vehicle, owned by TLC Pregnancy Services, is usually parked near the Northern Illinois Women’s Center, 1400 Broadway. Officials offer free ultrasounds and counseling for mothers coming to the center for abortions.
The bus has also been at the center of debate among protesters, clinic officials and Rockford aldermen.
The City Council voted against the firm’s request for a six-month parking pass twice since a permit issued last fall expired April 4.
After Tuesday night’s council meeting, alderman voted 8-6 against the extension. Following the meeting, Morrissey promised to issue another temporary pass and for the motion to be brought in front of alderman for another vote.
The parking pass marks the second time Morrissey has trumped a council vote. The mayor issued the group a one-day pass April 22, in spite of a council vote to deny TLC an extension.
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3 Comments
Perhaps if the needle exchange group, that the city just shut down, rented a van and parked it outside city hall, Mayor Morrissey would approve that permit too.
Paul Gorski displays an arrogance unbecoming an official in government in his comment regarding the needle exchange group.
His comment is pure pandering. I must presume his expertise is in medical ethics. Either that or he has researched the subject and is expressing a learned opinion. If that is the case then my studies of the topic suggest he is wrong.
I’m no longer an official in government, but yes I have studied medical ethics, and ethical decision making in regards to scientific decisions. My background is biology, chemistry and computer science, with coursework in ethics and morality. It was in such classes where I began to establish my pro-life positions, and where I began to see the value of needle exchange programs as a means of reducing the spread of disease. I see as much, if not more value, in supporting the needle exchange program in effort to promote life and reduce illness than issuing the permit for the medical van. Feel free to write me at paul@paulgorski.com or phone me at 779-771-3239 if you would like to discuss it in detail.