NARAL Celebrates New Law Expanding Access to Abortion in Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2017

After Gov. Bruce Rauner (R-IL) announced he will sign into law a bill passed by the Democratic legislature to expand access to abortion care in Illinois, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue issued the following statement:

“We applaud Gov. Rauner for announcing he will sign HB 40 and, in doing so, affirming that freedom, equality, and justice are higher values than dogmatic partisanship. Today is a great reminder of our history as a nation where women’s rights are considered human rights by elected officials regardless of party affiliation.

“This bipartisan law is a great step forward for women and families across Illinois, and proves that everybody wins when we come together to expand basic healthcare, including abortion access. The broad support for HB 40 reflects a belief shared by 7 in 10 Americans that abortion should be both legal and accessible. This groundbreaking law removes dangerous and medically unnecessary obstacles to abortion care so the state’s underserved communities can finally access their right to essential reproductive health care.

“At a time when our basic rights and values are under constant attack, this law cements Illinois’ leadership role in protecting the constitutional right to access abortion. While Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans continue their vendetta against Roe v. Wade, we applaud Illinois for standing by women and our reproductive rights.

“We know that protecting our reproductive freedom allows women to better plan for their own lives, families, and futures. NARAL members across Illinois are proud to have fought alongside so many other organizations to play a role in this historic moment. Thanks to Gov. Rauner and the persistent efforts of Democratic leaders throughout the state, women and families across Illinois will now have greater ability to control their own destinies, and we will all be stronger and healthier as a result.”

HB 40 lifts regulatory restrictions on abortion access, allowing Medicaid recipients and state employees to receive the care they need. The bill strikes down Illinois’ so-called “trigger law,” which previously allowed the criminalization of abortion should Roe v. Wade be overturned. It also lifts severe restrictions on abortion coverage for public employees and overturns medically unnecessary restrictions that prohibited abortion coverage except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the woman was threatened.

NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates are dedicated to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom for all Americans. NARAL works to guarantee that every woman has the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. In recognition of its work defending our constitutional right to choose, Fortune Magazine described NARAL as “one of the top 10 advocacy groups in America.”

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