On September 28, 2017, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner broke his promise to not sign House Bill 40. This bill forces taxpayers to cover the cost of providing free abortions for those on Medicaid and for state employees.
“We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken that our Governor went back on his promise and signed the extremely out-of-touch, abortion-expanding bill, HB40,” said Rosemary Hackett, President of Illinois Right to Life.
“Right now, Illinois Right to Life and pro-life advocates throughout Illinois can only feel betrayed and deeply saddened for the thousands of additional unborn babies’ lives that will be lost each year because of Governor Rauner’s action. We are beyond disappointed that our governor is willing to ignore the voices of his state’s citizens and every member of his political party, and expand abortion in Illinois at taxpayer expense.”
HB 40 went into effect on January 1, 2018. Now every Illinoisan is forced to pay for free abortions for those on Medicaid and state employee health insurance, through the full nine months of pregnancy and for any reason, even when the latest scientific research has shown that the unborn child can feel pain and survive outside the womb.
So Illinois Right to Life Action sued the state. Along with several other pro-life lawmakers and organizations.
The Lawsuit:
The lawsuit filed challenged the law on two main points:
First – the expenditure of public funds.
As the Thomas More Society states,
“The General Assembly has not set aside funds to pay for HB 40’s tens of thousands of elective abortions. There’s no money available to pay for those abortions and still be within the Balanced Budget requirements of the Illinois Constitution.”
If we’re successful in this challenge, your taxpayer dollars cannot be used to pay for free, elective abortions unless the General Assembly appropriates the money – which we will work to prevent.
Second – the date the law goes into effect.
The lawsuit contended that the effective date should not be January 1st of next year, but extended to June 1st. Thousands of unborn babies would be saved in just these few months – and their lives are more than worth it.
To view the lawsuit filed, click here.
We want everyone to know just how ridiculous, extreme, and out-of-touch this law is.
The Appeal:
Before the end of 2017, our attorneys at the Thomas More Society filed a request for an emergency injunction against HB 40 to stop state officials from forcing you, me, and everyone else in Illinois to pay for tens of thousands of abortions this new year.
But the judge hearing the case denied the request and then quickly moved to dismiss the lawsuit. And so, on January 1st, this extreme pro-abortion went into effect.
For three years, we fought this bill and kept it from ever reaching his desk. During that time, we were able to save thousands of babies’ lives. But the Governor went back on his promise and betrayed you, me, and Illinois.
So here’s the deal. This may be our last chance, and we are taking the legal route.
Our attorneys filed to appeal the decision in the Fourth Judicial District, on behalf of you, me, several pro-life legislators and pro-life organizations, and the thousands of Illinois taxpayers they represent.
“We respectfully disagree with the court’s ruling and will seek an immediate appeal,” stated Peter Breen, Thomas More Society Special Counsel. “The Illinois Constitution was clearly violated here.”
To view the appeal, click here.
We’re fighting tooth and nail to save tens of thousands of unborn lives, that are projected to be lost because of this terrible law.
Since our lawsuit against HB 40 was filed on your behalf, we are going to keep you up-to-date on the latest.