We have BIG NEWS.
Last week Friday, April 14, 2017, word broke that Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner plans to veto HB40 if it comes to his desk.
As reported in the Chicago SunTimes, Rauner spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis said in a statement,
“Gov. Rauner is committed to protecting women’s reproductive rights under current Illinois law. However, recognizing the sharp divisions of opinion of taxpayer funding of abortion, he does not support HB40.”
In an email, spokesperson Allie Bovis wrote, “Governor Rauner does not support HB40 and will veto the bill if it reaches his desk.”
“We are overjoyed that Governor Rauner has said he will veto this radical legislation,” said Emily Troscinski, executive director of Illinois Right to Life. “HB 40 would force all Illinoisans to pay for abortions through all nine months of pregnancy and for any reason, for those on Medicaid. This bill is out-of-touch, extreme, and bad policy for Illinois, and we applaud the Governor for his firm position against it.”
After reading the full text of the bill, these were the Six Most Shocking Things we learned about HB40:
- It makes abortion a “health benefit” for state employees, paid for by you.
- It forces Illinoisans to cover the cost of abortions for those on Medicaid, done for any reason during all nine months of pregnancy.
- It removes language protecting women from abortion doctors with a criminal history against women.
- It allows state grants to go to organizations that refer for, counsel for, or provide abortions.
- It trashes the long-standing policy of Illinois to recognize the unborn child as a human being.
- It poses an unpredictable financial burden to the state.
The news of the Governor’s intentions come after Representative David McSweeney called on the governor to make his position on the radical bill clear. Two days prior, Representative McSweeney told the Illinois Review that “If Governor Rauner makes his intentions known before HB 40 is called, there’s a very good chance that the bill will not pass the House.”
State Rep. Peter Breen, R-Lombard, told the Chicago SunTimes that the bill was being sold as related to Roe v. Wade “but the bill itself would require taxpayer funding for abortions of healthy babies.”
“That’s something that the broad majority of Illinoisans are against,” said Representative Breen. “To me, the governor’s decision is in accord with what folks in Illinois want.”
State Representative Tom Morrison also said in Capitol Fax,
“I am pleased Governor Rauner has chosen to veto HB 40 should it come to his desk. The Democrat lawmakers behind this initiative want to force Illinois taxpayers to pay for elective abortions through all 9 months of pregnancy. Taxpayers would be on the hook for abortions for any reason – even sex selection abortions would’ve been covered. This may come as a surprise a lot of people, even those who hold ‘pro-choice’ views. The Governor is doing the right thing by promising to veto HB 40.”
Now, we hope, encourage, and pray that the Governor will hold true to his promise.