Klopfer v. Illinois Department of Public Aid

OPINION

Patchett, J.

This is a claim brought by Dr. Ulrich G. Klopfer, a licensed physician in the State of Illinois. Dr. Klopfer seeks the sum of $165,333.20 for 931 abortions performed by him for Public Aid recipients from June 1978 to February 1979.

This case has raised a myriad of interesting, complex, and difficult issues. The basic facts are these:

In September 1976, the United States Congress enacted legislation known as the “Hyde Amendment.” The Hyde Amendment was a provision which was enacted in varying forms into appropriation bills funding the Department of Health, Education and…