Springfield – State Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) today voted against legislation that would greatly expand access to abortion and eliminate all independent rights of unborn children currently codified in state law, among other changes to state regulation of abortion.
“This legislation codifies a radical expansion of abortion in Illinois, which is why I strongly opposed it,” said Rep. Hammond. “The unborn deserve protection in law, but this bill does the opposite. Those children’s lives are precious, even if state law refuses to recognize them. A clear majority of the people of western Illinois and the 93rd District value life. I will continue to stand up for life and oppose these extreme abortion measures.”
Senate Bill 25 (SB 25), referred to by proponents of the legislation as the “Reproductive Health Act,” eliminates legal protections for the unborn currently in state statute. The legislation states, “A fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under the laws of this State.” The legislation also states that those who become pregnant have a “fundamental right” to an abortion. SB 25 removes criminal penalties against a doctor who performs an abortion when there is a reasonable possibility of survival of the child outside the womb. SB 25 also requires certain private insurance companies to cover abortion services.
“Illinois is already a national outlier in ease of access to abortion, but the majority party wants to take our state even further to the left on this issue,” Hammond continued. “A ‘fundamental’ right to an abortion is far outside the mainstream. With all of the critical issues facing our state and the end of the spring legislative session rapidly approaching, the Illinois House should not be spending its scarce time expanding access to abortion even more than state law already allows.”
Proponents of SB 25 are seeking to eliminate state regulations of abortion and increase ease of access to abortion. The legislation passed only with support from Democratic members of the Illinois House of Representatives. Opposition to SB 25 was bipartisan.
There are 4 days left in the spring legislative session.
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