SPRINGFIELD - Under a new state proposal, girls under age 18 would have to tell a parent, relative or member of the clergy before having an abortion.

The idea of girls having to tell their parents about abortions has been around the state for years. A 1995 parental notification law required girls to either notify a parent, or explain to a judge why they didn't want to, before having an abortion.

But it was blocked by the courts at the time and its future remains in flux.

Now, a Chicago Democrat wants to change the rules so girls could tell not only parents, but also grandparents, adult siblings or clergy before getting an abortion.

Minors would also have the alternative of seeking medical counseling to get information about either carrying the baby to term or aborting it.

State Rep. John Fritchey's proposal was approved in a House committee Thursday by 6-2 vote. It now heads to the full House for further debate.

He says allowing girls to seek the more nurturing tone of a counselor would be better than a potentially intimidating judge and courtroom.

But Ralph Rivera, spokesman for Illinois Citizens for Life, says that the medical professionals the proposal calls for can be found at abortion clinics. He says that would give teenagers a chance to bypass any kind of notification and get their counseling on site.

"If you want no parental notification, this is the bill to vote for," he said.

State Rep. Paul Froehlich, R-Schaumburg, voted "no" and said it's odd that a teenager needs parental permission for a relatively gentle procedure like an ear piercing, but not for an abortion.

The legislation is House Bill 317.