Abortion clinic doctor buys second vacant Rockford building. Here's what we know

ROCKFORD — A Madison, Wisconsin, gynecologist has purchased a former animal clinic in Rockford, and anti-abortion activists fear the building will be used to terminate pregnancies.

The Winnebago County Recorder's Office confirmed that on June 14, Dr. Dennis Christensen purchased the former Animal Emergency Clinic of Rockford building at 4236 Maray Drive for $350,000.

Christensen said the Maray Drive location could be used to perform surgical abortions if there is demand for it in Rockford.

Christensen, a gynecologist who once operated the Northern Illinois Women's Center abortion clinic in Rockford, also purchased a former chiropractic office at 611 Auburn Street for $75,000 on June 15.

Christensen plans to use that facility to evaluate patients and dispense abortion pills. Although he said it could be used for surgical abortions, he has no immediate plans for them at the Auburn location.

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The Rockford women's center, 1400 Broadway, was previously the region's only abortion clinic. It closed in 2012.

Christensen had sold the practice two years earlier. He has since then worked with Affiliated Medical Services, a surgical abortion and abortion pill provider with locations in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Wausau and Racine, Wisconsin, according to its website.

The Rockford Family Initiative plans to protest outside the Maray Drive building on Friday.

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Abortion clinic doctor buys second vacant Rockford building