Letter: Abortion legislation has major implications

Letter to the Daily Herald editor

Illinois citizens should be aware of pending legislation which would make our state the most permissive in the nation with respect to abortion.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has stated his wish that Illinois will be "the most progressive state in the nation when it comes to guaranteeing women's reproductive rights."

This stance is magnified by concerns among pro-choice supporters that Roe v. Wade may be overturned in the Supreme Court, throwing the legality of abortions to the state level.

Whether you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life, you should know the implications of this legislation.

The most startling is that the bills would allow abortions for any reason, even post-viability, throughout all nine months of pregnancy. According to the analysis of the Thomas More Society, the bills would also require private health insurers to include coverage for all abortions, with no exemptions for conscience, and allow taxpayer dollars to be used for abortion coverage through the DCFS.

Illinois House Bill 2495 and Senate Bill SB 1942, titled the Reproductive Health Act, look to define a fundamental right of 'reproductive health', including abortion as one option.

These bills repeal or override existing laws, primarily the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975, that placed various restrictions on the practice. A companion bill (HB 2467, SB1594) would eliminate required parental notice.

The proposed law is very direct as to its principles, stating that "a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under the laws of this state". In short, the bill codifies access to abortion as if it were simply another health care or medical procedure, equivalent to caring for cancer or general wellness, with no legal regard to the rights or concerns of the fetus, other family members, medical providers or taxpayers.

Bruce Simpson

Glen Ellyn