One Illinois lawmaker has proposed a bill that would give tax credits to those who relocate to the state because of its lenient abortion laws.
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy is sponsoring House Bill 5152, which would offer a $500 tax credit to abortion-seeking women, as well as their parents or guardians. She hopes to attract people who no longer want to live in a state that protects preborn children in the womb. The credits would also be offered to those who move to Illinois for gender reassignment surgery or medicalization.
“This is very much meant to provide a warm handoff for folks who have been made incredibly unwelcome in their homes,” she said.
Per the proposal, the Illinois Department of Revenue would be responsible for gathering an affidavit from individuals who say they’ve moved to Illinois for one of the covered reasons.
Notably, Illinois has seen population declines annually for approximately a decade.
The bill was blasted by Rep. Adam Niemerg, a member of the Illinois Freedom Caucus, who decried the fact that the state did not renew tax credits for those who support private school K-12 scholarships. “The message from the far-left is you can’t have a tax credit to help low-income families, but if it’s related to abortion or woke teaching policies it’s ok,” Niemerg maintained.
READ: Illinois bill would charge parents with abuse for trying to prevent a minor’s abortion
Cassidy said she was unsure how much her proposal would cost the state, claiming an “uncountable diaspora” of people would be fleeing to Illinois for its permissive laws. However, she said that any cost would be offset by the economic advantage that comes with a boost in population — even if that boost comes specifically so that preborn children can be killed.
“From a pure fiscal perspective honestly, by the time you furnish an apartment, we’ve more than made up whatever tax credit is given,” she said. “These folks are setting up their lives here, they are becoming permanent residents in the state of Illinois.”
The bill is currently being considered in the House Rules Committee. Illinois is currently governed by a Democratic supermajority, meaning the governorship and both the state Senate and House are controlled by Democrats.
