SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CN) - Illinois cannot force pharmacists to dispense the "morning-after" pill, said the Sangamon County Court, in granting a restraining order to two pharmacists who say dispensing the pill would violate their religious beliefs.
The pill reduces the chance of pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sex. The pharmacists said it is similar to abortion.
In 2005, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed an order requiring pharmacists to dispense the pills, but the two pharmacists said the order violated a state law prohibiting enforcement of health-care decisions over religious objections.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled in December that a circuit court had to hear arguments in the case. A hearing could be held in June.
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