Local pharmacies in the Champaign-Urbana area are one step closer to greater access for emergency contraception. At a press conference this afternoon, First Lady Patricia Blagojevich and the Campaign for Access to Emergency Contraception announced that local pharmacies are in 100-percent compliance with the Governor’s sign posting rule.

Lead organizer for the Champaign county Health Care Consumers office Allison Jones says this is important to remind the public of a woman’s access right.

“They let them know that they have a right to contraceptives. They don’t need to feel ashamed or like they’re demanding anything unusual, simply to access their prescribed medications. There’s no reason to be objecting to posting a sign of something simple. It’s just a great tool to let one know of what options are available to them.”

The Illinois rule requires pharmacies to post a sign detailing a woman’s rights to contraception without delay and how to file a complaint if a woman’s rights have been violated. 23 pharmacies in the area have these signs posted. They are in the process of repackaging emergency contraception for over-the-counter sale and will become available to the public once they are in stock. Jones says this should occur within the coming month.