Illinois House Passes Strengthened Abortion Rights

In response to abortion bans in other states and to codify current practices should Roe V. Wade be overturned, the Illinois House Tuesday approved an expansive abortion bill sponsors say will strengthen the state’s current laws.

Sponsors introduced the measure in February, where it stood in a committee for months, but in light of laws restricting access to abortions in Alabama, Georgia, Missouri and Ohio, Democratic legislators and other advocates pushed forward new language that would preserve reproductive health as a “fundamental right.” The green light was given after a lengthy Democratic caucus last week.

The legislation was intended to repeal several decades-old abortion-related provisions in state law.  

The measure would repeal the state’s current abortion law, adopted in 1975. In its place would be language in which certain elements are removed, such as: spousal consent; criminal penalties for doctors who perform abortions; waiting periods; and other restrictions on facilities where abortions are performed. The updated legislation, which passed a House committee on Sunday, also clarifies the definitions of viability and health.

A new provision says abortions can be performed after viability only if necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant woman. It also defines the viability as the fetus having a significant likelihood of survival outside the uterus without extraordinary medical measures.

During floor debate State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Raymond) who is expecting her first child, called the measure a “massive expansion that will impact viable babies. And that is wrong.”

The measure cleared the Illinois House with a 64-50 vote.

Following the vote, State Representative Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) said he is looking forward to the days of truth and justice for the babies in the womb.