On September 28, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner (R) signed HB40, the unpopular bill mandating taxpayer funding of abortion. He is the second governor to force taxpayers to pay for others’ abortions on demand this year — following in the footsteps of pro-abortion Governor Kate Brown (D) of Oregon. Gov. Rauner had previously said he would not sign HB40 if it passed, but changed his mind, after pressure from Planned Parenthood the abortion industry.
In a press conference announcing his decision, Rauner acknowledged, “The moral argument against HB40 is very powerful….it’s not debatable. It is irrefutable. I respect it very much.” But he also added, “On the other side, the arguments for women’s rights, health and equality are very powerful. I support them. I am pro choice.” He added that he feels women with limited financial means should have equal opportunity to abort their children. Rauner said he signed the bill because he was unable to find common ground on it. Without “common ground,” Gov. Rauner chose the side of Planned Parenthood and abortion on demand.
In announcing his decision, the governor 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.
That is why I am signing HB40. ….
The video below, filmed with former abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino, illustrates the choice Gov. Rauner believes all women in Illinois should have, at taxpayer expense:
In April, Gov. Rauner spokesperson Allie Bovis said, “Governor Rauner does not support HB 40 and will veto the bill if it reaches his desk.” But, as Live Action News reported:
Rauner…has donated thousands of dollars to Planned Parenthood, as has his wife, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Rauner Family Foundation has also contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the American Civil Liberties Union.
An article in the Chicago Sun Times shows how the governor waffled between two opinions for months, indicating he first supported making abortions available to those who could not afford the violent procedure, but then saying he did not support such funding. The Times reports that HB40 went even further than forcing taxpayers to fund abortion on demand. It also made abortion legal under Illinois law, irrespective of federal law:
Rauner has put himself between a rock and hard place over House Bill 40, which would ensure abortion remains legal in Illinois even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. It would remove a “trigger provision” in Illinois law that would outlaw abortion if the landmark court decision is overturned.
The Prairie State Wire reports on the differences between current abortion coverage in Illinois and HB40:
Today, Medicaid recipients can receive abortions in cases of rape, incest, health and life of the mother.
The measure expands that. It means Illinoisans on Medicaid as well as state employees will receive free abortions for any reason, up until the last day of their pregnancy.
Below is a common abortion procedure used in the U.S., generally up to 24 weeks — now paid for by the taxpayers of Illinois:
Illinois abortion law currently allows abortion until viability of the fetus; however, the law has an exception that states:
When the fetus is viable no abortion shall be performed unless in the medical judgment of the attending or referring physician, based on the particular facts of the case before him, it is necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother. Intentional, knowing, or reckless failure to conform to the requirements of subsection (1) of Section 5 is a Class 2 felony.
The “health of the mother” exception is ambiguous enough to account for abortions of healthy babies who are full-term and who could otherwise survive outside the womb, as Live Action has reported:
The Supreme Court ruling in Doe v. Bolton defined maternal health so broadly that abortions are permitted in the U.S. for virtually any reason. The mother’s “health” can then be defined as her physical, emotional health, financial health, etc.
“The medical judgment [for a late-term abortion] may be exercised in the light of all factors—physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman’s age—relevant to the well-being of the patient. All these factors may relate to health.”
HB40’s passage means that roughly 12,000 more preborn babies will be killed each year in Illinois — and forcibly paid for by the citizens.
