UPDATED 2:50 P.M.
Statement from President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois Jennifer Welch:
“On Sunday evening the Peoria Planned Parenthood Health Center was vandalized when someone threw a fire accelerant through a window, causing a fire in the building. We are grateful to the prompt response from firefighters who put out the fire, however there is significant damage to the building. Thankfully, no patients or team members were present or harmed. Senseless acts of vandalism have been on the rise across the country and Illinois has become a target as extreme and divisive rhetoric increases. We are working with local authorities and will prosecute the vandal(s) to the fullest extent of the law. We will not stop providing the essential health care our patients need and deserve. We pledge to work swiftly to meet the needs of our Peoria patients and those traveling from other states to receive reproductive health care.”
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PEORIA, Ill. — Arson is to blame for a fire overnight at Planned Parenthood in Peoria.
Peoria Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Hascall says crews were called to the building near the corner of N Knoxville Avenue and W. Hanssler Place just after 11:30 p.m. with fire and smoke showing from a front window.
No one was in the building at the time of the fire.
One firefighter was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Damage to the Planned Parenthood facility is estimated at $150,000.
