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All House Republicans side with whipped up anti-vaxxers as Rep. Chesney declares “My body, my choice” during debate
Friday, Apr 23, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller * Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) rose on the floor this afternoon to explain House Bill 347. The bill, she said, does two things. First, it creates a database of all immunizations to help the Illinois Department of Public Health track immunizations across the state and said people can opt out if they don’t want to be in the registry. Second, the bill would increase vaccine reimbursement to pediatricians for vaccinating children from the current $6.40 to $16. Intense opposition to the bill was whipped up by at least one so-called “vaccine awareness” group and thousands of electronic witness slips were filed against it. * Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) rose to say (inaccurately) that 15,000 witness slips had been filed in opposition to the bill and that she had received several emails about this as well. “People are very concerned about having this information based in a data registry,” Hammond said, and asked the sponsor “Who is going to hold those records and how they will be disseminated?” Rep. Gabel replied that the records are “only for the Department of Health” and are not disseminated with identifying data. “They’re used in the aggregate to be able to check immunization rates across the state to identify areas that have low immunizations and to target services for those areas.” Gabel also stressed that there is an opt-out process “in current law.” Rep. Hammond said the opt-out was a concern of many who had contacted her. Even so, Hammond said she wouldn’t be voting for the bill. * Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) then asked to be recognized to speak. “I recommend my colleagues vote ‘No,’” Chesney said. “My body, my choice.” Some of you may recognize that saying as an anti-vaxxer slogan used to troll liberals. “This bill does not mandate anybody get a vaccine for anything,” an exasperated Gabel retorted. * Not a single Republican voted for it…  * Related…
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- Ashland Adam - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:48 pm:
“My body, my choice.”
So - is Rep. Chesney supportive of women making choices about their own bodies?
- Roadrager - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:49 pm:
It’s who the party is, and it needs to be understood that they are not “coming back” from it in any sense of the word. There is no policy, there is no platform, there is only embracing the internet fringe, owning the libs, and embracing the internet fringe to own the libs. And that gets them enough votes and money for now.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:49 pm:
It’s almost as if all of these Republican legislators either don’t know or have forgotten that all students must show proof of vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, diptheria, etc. before they can go to school.
I understand that this vaccine was approved under emergency rules to speed the rollout. Despite that, the FDA will soon have enough data to approve it via its normal procedures. Then what excuse will these anti-vaxxers give us for why they don’t want to stop this pandemic?
- Curious citizen - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:51 pm:
I’m constantly amazed by how completely the GOP nationally, and the ILGOP here, have politicized a global pandemic. From wearing masks and social distancing to keeping track of immunizations, every aspect of COVID-19 has been a matter of partisan debate. Thanks, Republicans.
- Lincoln Lad - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:52 pm:
When someone shows you how ignorant they are, you should believe them (not vote for them)
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:53 pm:
First… unless you are pro-choice the Raunerites are trolling themselves.
This kind of self own is why they are arguably close to 40 seats than 50 seats.
I’m not surprised…
=== Not a single Republican voted for it…===
The Raunerites are anti-science only because the ignorance of those who are truly anti-vaccine trend… old, angry, and Trump.
They are pathetic souls. I feel sorry for the lot of them.
- Just Me 2 - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:54 pm:
Republicans think it is perfectly acceptable for a business to discriminate against someone who is born gay, but have such a crazy fear of businesses will discriminate against idiots who make a choice to not get vaccinated they won’t support reasonable public health measures.
- Give Me A Break - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:54 pm:
After casting their No votes, GOP members then went back to their districts to assist their voter in building bunkers to be ready to turn back hoards of Spanish speaking, gay Muslims coming to their districts to take their guns away, force mask wearing and kneeling during the national anthem.
- Ok - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:54 pm:
For an explanation, see the previous post: “Times change and so do political parties”
- Amalia - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:58 pm:
Blank off with that my body my choice comment. unless you are changing your position on what happens with my body and those of other women.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 2:59 pm:
Is stupid on sale for GOPers in Springfield? This is really something else.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:01 pm:
===So - is Rep. Chesney supportive of women making choices about their own bodies? ===
It’s unfortunate that English is not an inflected language. If it were when Chesney would say “My body, my choice” it would be clear that he was implying that he believes he has ownership over the bodies of women and therefore it is his choice.
If your political party is going to post a video where a State Representative screams about how their party represents 5 million Illinoisans they probably shouldn’t follow it up with making it clear that they’re only interested in representing the morons, lunatics, and conspiracy theories in their district.
- Glengarry - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:02 pm:
Knuckle dragging GQP on full display.
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:06 pm:
“Even so, Hammond said she wouldn’t be voting for the bill.”
I am making a very broad point that, I’m sorry, is a little off topic… this is exactly why there is no reason to bring Republicans into any discussion about any policy-making decision if the Democrats have a majority. Whether it be map-making, infrastructure etc. They’ll get to determine what is in the bill and then vote against it anyway (that has been their life since the ACA). Completely unserious and untrustworthy.
- Blue Dog - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:06 pm:
The hypocrisy of both parties is incredible. For the GOP to use this slogan and then watch Dems talk about science is laughable.
- j - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:07 pm:
It is ironic how often these anti-science folks get bit on the rear by Mr. Darwin. Thereby making it easier for them to be “replaced” per their conspiracy.
- Norseman - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:10 pm:
This is nuts. The GQP is the anti-health, anti-democracy and anti-science party.
- Pundent - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:11 pm:
=For the GOP to use this slogan and then watch Dems talk about science is laughable.=
A woman’s right to choose does not put my health in jeopardy. But you do you.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:16 pm:
===- Blue Dog - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:06 pm:===
Perhaps you should update your username to “Bothsides Dog.”
This would be more accurate.
- Lefty Lefty - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:19 pm:
I have no idea what Blue Dog is trying to say. Any clarification BD?
- JS Mill - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:21 pm:
So a GQP rep throws a hissy fit about the behavior of the behavior of the speaker and the democrats and just hours later we get this?
Has there ever been more disgraceful hypocrisy?
Also…irony is dead.
- Keyrock - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:21 pm:
Proving once again why the Illinois GOP deserves to remain in the super-minority.
- Highland, Il - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:22 pm:
I guess they can always throw more papers on the House floor as they wonder why no one takes them seriously.
- TheInvisibleMan - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:26 pm:
This is creating political momentum in ways that are going to be very destructive.
There are more vaccines than just for covid, a lot more. What the republicans are currently encouraging here is going to directly lead to a lower uptake on all those other vaccines too.
This is going to eventually cause a public health disaster that usually only happens in third world countries without refrigeration. I will not be surprised if within five years the US department of commerce is going to have to start issuing travel advisories for places within the US, in the same way they issue advisories for vaccinations when going to specific countries or areas of the world.
What an absolute embarrassment.
- Anon1 - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:29 pm:
Frankly, I am surprised Yednock voted for it. He has voted on many of these fringe issue bills with Republicans. And Vella voted no.
- Snarkie from Schaumburg - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:31 pm:
My white male GOP body decides the choices for all others.
- AC - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:36 pm:
This seems like an effective strategy for the IL GOP to win back suburban voters. /S
- NIU Grad - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:38 pm:
The “moderate” GOP members probably justified themselves by saying this was an overreach or an unfunded mandate…but they know in their hearts that this is the conspiracy theory party now.
- Rich Hill - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:43 pm:
It is as if Republicans want more Americans to die needlessly.
- HangingOn - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:54 pm:
==It is as if Republicans want more Americans to die needlessly.==
I was actually just thinking that, for a group that seems to be worried it’s numbers are declining, you think they’d promote anything that would keep the people who vote for them alive. Not the other way around.
- Jocko - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 3:55 pm:
==My body, my choice==
The 2020 version of Typhoid Mary.
- Realist - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 4:03 pm:
The fifteen non-votes, were they just not in today, or are those democrats that also didn’t like the bill?
- SubRosa - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 4:15 pm:
I marvel at the conviction and lack of irony with which Republicans pull off their staggering hypocrisy.
- Cosgrove - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 4:20 pm:
The compulsory pregnancy advocates for all women being outraged that government would tell them what to do with their own body. No wonder fewer & fewer people want to vote for these people.
- Last Bull Moose - Friday, Apr 23, 21 @ 4:24 pm:
No herd immunity. Just mad cow disease.
I am embarrassed for my former party.