By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – A federal judge is refusing to throw out a lawsuit brought by pharmacists protesting Governor Rod Blagojevich's rule requiring pharmacies to dispense emergency birth control.
Judge Jeanne Scott in Springfield says the pharmacists have a legitimate claim that Blagojevich's year-old rule violates religious protections in the Bill of Rights and federal civil rights laws.
Five of seven pharmacists in the suit claim they were fired by Walgreen Company after refusing to dispense the so-called "morning-after pill" because of religious objections.
Blagojevich's lawyers say the rule merely ensures wide availability of emergency contraception.
A Blagojevich spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday's ruling.