Saying "live birth abortions" were being performed at Christ Hospital in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn and the premature infants were being left to die in a utility room
After witnessing a car accident, Stanek studied nursing,[2] gaining a degree in nursing in 1993.[3] She began working at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois after graduating, spending two years in a cardiac ward before moving to a maternity ward.[3]
Christ Hospital controversy
Stanek gained initial prominence in 1999 when she testified that, while she worked at Christ Hospital, infants that survived induced labor abortions were abandoned to die in a utility room.[4][3][2][5][6] These allegations led to a formal investigation by the Illinois Department of Public Health, which stated that the hospital violated no state laws. A Christ Hospital spokesman admitted "that between 10 percent and 20 percent of fetuses with genetic defects that are aborted survive for short periods outside the womb."[7] Shortly thereafter, Advocate Health Care changed its policy on induced labor abortions, barring its use against fetuses with non-lethal developmental issues.[8] Stanek was fired by Christ Hospital in 2001,[6] for allegedly "taking photographs inside the hospital and misrepresenting the hospital on a television program."[2]
Since 2003, Stanek has been a regular columnist for WorldNetDaily[5] and her analysis and opinions are frequently referenced in the context of the abortion issue.[12][13][14][15][16][17]
As of 2017, Stanek was the national campaign chair of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion organisation.[18]
Criticism of Barack Obama
Stanek generated national news during the 2008 Presidential campaign when publicizing Barack Obama's four votes against Illinois' Born Alive Infants Protection Act while state senator, as well as his state senate floor testimony.[5] She posted a vote tally on her blog showing that, during a March 12, 2003, meeting of the Illinois State Senate's Health and Human Services Committee, Committee Chairman Barack Obama prevented the passage of an amendment to Bill 1082 that would have conveyed "the rights of personhood upon any fetus expelled or extracted from the womb if that fetus was capable of breathing or voluntary motion."[19]
Personal life
Stanek lives in Mokena, Illinois.[5] She and her husband Richard have three children.[3]
^ abcdRitzel, Rebecca J. (11 May 2004). "Choosing life at all costs". Intelligencer Journal. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. pp. B1-2. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
^ abcdFountain, John W. (9 September 2001). "Nurse says abortion stance led to firing". The Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, Indiana. The New York Times. p. A15. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
^Herman, Andrew. "High-profile candidate dives into local race." Chicago Sun-Times, Feb. 14, 2002.
^M Parry (2013) Broadcasting Birth Control, Rutgers Univ. Press: Note 31 on page 172 cites quotes on Jill Stanek's blog.
^K Handel (2012) Planned Bullyhood, Simon & Schuster: Chapter 6 notes 9 and 12 cite comments from Jill Stanek blog.
^DC Becker (2011) Personhood: A Pragmatic Guide to Prolife Victory in the 21st Century and the Return to First Principles in Politics, TKS Publications: Note 127 on page 165 cites comments on Jill Stanek blog.
^D Freddoso (2008) The Case Against Barack Obama: The Unlikely Rise and Unexamined Agenda of the Media's Favorite Candidate, Regnery: Chapter 10 page 191 begins with quotes from Stanek.
^C Vicari (2014) Distortion, Charisma Media: Chapter 2 note 4 (page 198) cites a quote on Jill Stanek's blog.
^R Byron (2006) Children of a lesser law: The failure of the born-alive infants protection act and a plan for its redemption, Regent University Law Review 19(1): Stanek quotes/statements cited in footnotes 2 through 6, 13, etc. and her testimony is discussed starting on pp 279.
