After long conversations with advocates on both sides of the issue, Governor Rauner followed through on a campaign promise signing legislation protecting the right to choose for Illinois women. The governor has always spoken his mind throughout his time in office, and on Thursday he stood up for the rights of women across the state.
Take a look at some of the coverage:
Rauner Pulls Trigger: Signs Bill to Ensure Abortion Remains Legal
“As Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, I will not let that happen,” Schneider said. “There is no daylight between Governor Rauner and the Illinois Republican Party and we will continue working hard to ensure his reelection and finally defeat Mike Madigan once and for all.”
Rauner Signs Bill Ensuring Abortion Access in Illinois
On Thursday, he told reporters, “I personally am pro-choice. I always have been” and that he has supported anti-abortion political candidates through his life.
But, he added, “I believe women have a right to decide what goes on in her own body…the right to choose.”
The bill would override parts of a 1975 law that would ban abortions in Illinois should the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion.
…If Roe v. Wade is overturned without any changes to state law, abortions would be banned in Illinois even in the case of rape or incest, while abortions could be performed if the mother’s life were in danger.
Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign Abortion Protections Law HB40
The new law will expand abortion coverage for low-income women on Medicaid and others on state health insurance. It would also overturn the state’s ‘trigger law’, which would have automatically made abortion illegal in Illinois were the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the abortion rights decision ‘Roe v. Wade’.
In a statement, Gov. Rauner said, “I understand abortion is a very emotional issue with passionate opinions on both sides. I sincerely respect those who believe abortion is morally wrong. They are good people motivated by principle. But, as I have always said, I believe a woman should have the right to make that choice herself and I do not believe that choice should be determined by income. I do not think it’s fair to deny poor women the choice that wealthy women have.”
Illinois Governor says he will sign HB40
The bill makes it legal to get an abortion in the state, even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the Roe vs. Wade decision.
…The governor said he respects people who believe abortion is morally wrong, but he said he believes a woman should have the right to make the choice on her own.
Rauner also said income shouldn’t be a factor in the choice.
While some disagreed with the decision, noted pro-life Republicans expressed the need to rally around the governor on the big issues facing Illinois:
Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti:
“I realize this bill is a political ploy to divide the people of Illinois. While I disagree with the Governor on this, we must focus on our areas of agreement – enacting real reforms we need to turn Illinois around.”
Attorney General Candidate Erika Harold
“The Governor personally reached out to me about his decision, and I know he did not reach it easily. While we disagree on this issue, there remains much on which we agree - and that is what unites us as Republicans. We both agree on the need to make Illinois more competitive, we agree on the need to lift up the less fortunate and we agree on the need to crack down on corruption and wrongdoing. As I have stated several times in the past, as Attorney General, I will enforce all of the laws of the state.”
Man, when your campaign’s pin round-up has to include criticism…and it comes from your own running mate…
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:08 am
Who’s the biggest winner? Planned Parenthood.
I smell a whiff of kleptocrat in the air.
Comment by cdog Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:13 am
Does any believe that Sanguinetti’s statement wasn’t vetted through the Gov’s Office?
That’s a scripted response.
Comment by We'll See Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:19 am
Durkin’s silence is telling?
I haven’t seen any reporting of his reaction.
Comment by cdog Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:19 am
Shame, Shame on the Guv. Of course the choice should remain legal, but why do taxpayers have to pay for it.
Comment by CommonSense Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:20 am
Harold starts with “The Governor reached out to me personally….”. Maybe it’s just me, but sounds a little self-absorbed.
Comment by WaitTillNextYear Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:23 am
===Durkin’s silence is telling? ===
Pretty sure I posted it on the live coverage post…
The Governor and I disagree on this issue and I did not support the bill. I am displeased with the Governor’s action today. Moving forward, it’s important for Republicans to remember to come together. There is much work that needs to be done to make Illinois a thriving and vibrant state and we are committed to finishing the job.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:23 am
Rauner made the calculated decision that the right gates Mike Madigan more than HB40. I think he’s correct.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:24 am
Thank you. I had missed that.
Comment by cdog Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:28 am
I’m sure Diana had a word or two about this bill with Bruce…
Makes sense to me…income should not be a factor in access to reproductive services…
Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:39 am
Nicely crafted, carefully balanced comments from Sanguinetti and Harold.
Wondering what Erika Harold thinks about the Barney’s warehouse lease?
Any thoughts about Stu Levine’s time on the Teacher’s Retirement System board, when he was simultaneously paid by Bruce Rauner and voting to give Rauner a huge state contract?
The property management (Barney’s + leases for contributors), hiring (Proft-IPI deal) and procurement (health insurance portal, Medicaid Managed Care) practices of the Rauner administration surely are of interest to someone promising to “crack down on corruption and wrongdoing.”
Right?
Comment by Sugar Corn Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:43 am
Diana Rauner, who it appears had significant influence on the Governor’s decision, leads an organization committed to quality experiences during the first five years of childhood. There is a graphic on the organization’s web site which states, “it’s amazing what they absorb before they’re five.”
The fascinating and confounding aspect here is that such a person could support the now-legal state-funded killing of those same people in the weeks before they would otherwise grow to amaze them.
Comment by Sillies Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 10:45 am
@Sillies-
What a ridiculous troll. Illinois has long banned abortions once the fetus becomes viable - around 23 weeks - except in the extraordinary case where it might be necessary to protect the life or health of the mother.
Try harder.
Comment by Thomas Paine Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 11:04 am
@Thomas Paine-
What about the day before the fetus is viable? Or the second before? As medical developments advance (have you heard of the “artificial womb”) viability becomes a meaningless term.
“Ounce of Prevention” now takes on new meaning.
Comment by Sillies Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 11:14 am
Thank you Thomas Paine…
Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 11:15 am
==Common Sense …but why do taxpayers have to pay for it==
In regards to State employees. Taxpayers aren’t paying for it. Healthcare is a part of compensation for work. Its your pay. What you are saying is you have the right to tell someone how they can spend the money you are paying them. Its the same as the Hobby Lobby and Little Sisters of the Poor cases. The bills go to the insurance company. The State doesn’t see them. You are asserting a right to prior disapprove of how an employee can spend their money. I’m guessing you feel its forcing you to do an immoral act. No. Then act is between the patient and the Dr. You are no more involved than you are in your share in paying for the road they used to get together. As a example of when taxpayers are forced to do an immoral act. When we had a death penalty. I as a taxpayer was forced to finance their execution. And , since the case against them is the people vs
“hopefully guilty slime”, all of us took part in the act…
If they pay for it themselves, they are still using taxpayer dollars. You’re finding a sin based on which column in a spreadsheet the dollars fall.
Comment by Anotheretiree Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 11:21 am
==Rauner also said income shouldn’t be a factor in the choice.==
If income weren’t a factor in the choice of whether or not to bear a child, there would be a lot fewer abortions. I guess support for low-income parents isn’t what he has in mind though.
Comment by TooManyJens Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 11:46 am
@Thomas Paine, Since when does our age determine our humanity? Only for abortion sad to say.
Comment by Never Politically Correct Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 12:09 pm
@Pundent
Totally agree with you on the calculation.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 12:29 pm
There is no 100% support for the govenor up and down the ticket
Comment by Rabid Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 12:55 pm
I’m sure many female taxpayers are offended with having to subsidize Erectile Dysfunction products via Government Entitlements programs, many administered through the tax codes.
This Government Policy encourages unwanted pregnancies and leads to a higher abortion rate.
Comment by MIke Cirrincione Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 3:44 pm