We here at Prayer for Life at Division and LaSalle feel strongly that it isn't enough to merely profess a pro-life position, we have to stand up and do something about it. The precise actions can and will vary from person to person, but we should all strive to incorporate our pro-life beliefs into the way we live our lives. Accordingly, here are some links for organizations that are active in the pro-life movement.
(Note: This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, nor are we necessarily endorsing any of these organizations over one another or other groups. This is a sample of what is available. If you know of other groups, especially in the Chicago or greater Illinois area, please let us know.)
Students for Life of Illinois
http://sflillinois.org/
Students for Life of Illinois (SFLI) is a statewide organization created to be an umbrella organization that unites pro-life groups at Illinois universities. Through their website and various events, SFLI intends to help create, grow, and maintain campus pro-life groups. They work toward these goals by helping campus groups network with one another and by organizing conferences intended to develop campus pro-life leaders. Beyond that, they organize events such as "Cupcakes at the Capitol," a state-level pro-life lobbying effort in Springfield. If you are a pro-life college student, SFLI can help you get involved with one of the many college pro-life groups or start one at your college.
Students for Life of America*
http://studentsforlife.org/
Students for Life of America (SFLA) seeks to train and equip future pro-life leaders in high schools and on college campuses across the nation. In trying to accomplish these goals, SFLA offers resources for the creation of pro-life high school or college groups. SFLA also hosts national conferences and has pro-life internships available to better train the next generation of pro-life leaders.
*Though having a similar name, SFLA and SFLI are not directly affiliated--for instance, SFLI is not the state branch of SFLA. However, the two organizations share common goals, both politically (pro-life) and in terms of their approach in working toward those goals (training young leaders).
Pro-Life Action League
http://prolifeaction.org/
As its name suggests, the Pro-Life Action League (PLAL) is an organization that promotes direct, non-violent action for the pro-life cause. Founded by local Chicagoan and national pro-life hero Joe Scheidler, the PLAL holds that having a pro-life presence at abortion facilities must be a central part of the pro-life approach. One of the biggest PLAL events every year is the Face the Truth tour, in which the PLAL and allies display graphic photos of abortions in an attempt to show to people apathetic about abortion that it is murder. But that's not all they do: be sure to check out their Hotline Blog as well.
40 Days for Life
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/
40 Days for Life is an international event that began in 2007 by a Texas pro-life group. Originally intended as a one-shot event, the founders had requests from other pro-life groups and decided to make a national event out of it. Hosted twice a year, in spring and fall, 40 Days for life consists of three components: 1) prayer and fasting; 2) a peaceful prayer vigil (either 12 hours a day or perpetual (24 hours)); and 3) community outreach to raise awareness about abortion. Chicago is home to a 40 Days for Life campaign during each yearly vigil. The spring vigil is held at our pro-life home turf, Division and LaSalle in Old Town (website: http://40daysforlife.com/oldtownchicago/), and the fall vigil is held at an Albany abortion facility and run by the Respect Life office of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
