A circuit judge in Illinois has ruled that pharmacists should not be forced to violate their religious beliefs by dispensing the morning-after pill. The drug, sold as Plan B, contains high concentrations of the hormones found in oral contraceptives and is given to women within 72 hours of sex to prevent pregnancy. It may cause an early abortion.

Pharmacists Luke VanderBleek and Glenn Kosirog had sued over a 2005 rule put into place by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich that forced them to sell Plan B. A circuit court dismissed their claim, but the Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that it must be considered.

Sangamon County Circuit Judge John Belz held Tuesday that the rule violates the state’s conscience rights law. “Both Illinois and federal law make it clear that people don’t have to check their religion at the door to enter the health care fields,” said Mark Rienzi, a law professor at the Catholic University of America and co-counsel in the case.

The state attorney general’s office said it plans to appeal the decision.

In Missouri, the state House has given initial approval to legislation that would protect pharmacists from being forced to sell Plan B. The vote drew cheers from hundreds of life advocates who had gathered at the Capitol. The bill needs another House vote before it can move to the Senate.

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