State Senate Hopeful Opposes Governor's Signing of Abortion Funding Legislation

Citing his support for the right to life for the unborn, State Senate District 54 candidate and Marion County Republican Chairman Ben Stratemeyer voiced his opposition to HB 40, which was signed into law by Governor Rauner.  

(BEN STRATEMEYER)

The bill, which would allow taxpayer dollars to fund abortions through the state-run Medicaid program, is estimated to cost the state at least $2 million and up to $21 million each year according to the Illinois Right to Life and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services data.

Stratemeyer, who stated he is “100% pro-life” and also a certified public accountant, said, “In addition to the moral concerns I have with this legislation which is projected to end 15,000-30,000 lives over the coming year, the financial cost of the measure could not come at a worse time for Illinois.” He added, “Our state is in an economic tailspin, and new spending measures are not a movement in the right direction.”

Stratemeyer said that while he disagrees with the Governor on this issue, he also recognizes that until Roe v. Wade is overturned, it is current law. “Just because it is the law of the land, does not mean that taxpayers must be compelled to pay for a procedure which so many find objectionable.” 

Stratemeyer indicated that the way out of Illinois’ fiscal crisis simply cannot include spending money Illinois doesn’t have. “As I have stated before, one of my top priorities as a legislator will be to find ways for Illinois to save taxpayers money.” 

Stratemeyer is a husband, father, small business owner and the Republican Central Committee Chairman in Marion County. Ben and his wife Celeste are members of the Calumet Street Christian Church in Centralia, where he is a Deacon and serves as Treasurer. They have two daughters.

Besides being a CPA, Stratemeyer comes from a centennial farm family. He holds an MBA from Southern Illinois University and has a Bachelors degree in Finance and Business Economics from SIU, as well as a Bachelors in Accounting from McKendree College. He is a member of the Farm Bureau, Centralia Rotary Club, the Illinois Broadcasters Association, the Illinois CPA Society, the Illinois Oil and Gas Association and he serves on the Board of Directors for Illinois South Tourism, South Central Transit Authority, and the Centralia Chamber of Commerce.  

The 54th District is currently represented by Republican Kyle McCarter, who is retiring.

Stratemeyer’s campaign website can be found at www.stratemeyerforsenate.com, and his Facebook page is located at www.facebook.com/stratemeyerforsenate.