DANVILLE, Illinois – An anti-abortion extremist was sentenced to five years in prison for driving his car through and attempting to set fire to the site of Affirmative Care Solutions (ACS), an abortion clinic planning to open in Danville, Illinois. U.S. District Court Judge Colin S. Bruce also ordered the extremist to pay $327,547 in restitution, noting it was unlikely that he had any assets.
The attack, which occurred on May 20, 2023, caused extensive damage to the clinic, delaying its opening by at least a year, according to LaDonna Prince, the owner and director of ACS. Prince, a long-time clinic operator, had purchased the Illinois property to open a comprehensive reproductive healthcare facility in response to Indiana’s total abortion ban.
The extremist, Philip Buyno, drove to the clinic site with a hatchet, matches, a flare, wood, and bottles and cans filled with gasoline; he then repeatedly rammed his car into the building, destroying the main entrance and damaging the rear wall and foundation before becoming stuck in the rubble. Buyno later identified himself as a member of a “rescue group” and claimed to have associated with extremists who support individuals who assault abortion providers.
Prince testified about the impact of Buyno’s violence, stating that the attack delayed the clinic’s opening, denying crucial care to women and the community in Indiana, Eastern Illinois, and other states. She reaffirmed the clinic’s commitment to its mission of providing abortion care to those in need despite the act of hostility.
ACS is determined to provide care to women and pregnant people, especially those from under-resourced communities. U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois Gregory K. Harris strongly condemned the defendant’s attempt to prevent women in the community from accessing important reproductive health services.
The clinic is currently undergoing repairs, and support for the ongoing work is being sought through a crowdfunding campaign. The attack is part of a broader pattern of violence and hostility toward abortion providers and facilities, posing a significant challenge to reproductive healthcare access.