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September 25, 2017
FROM:
Bonnie Cox, LWVIL President
Hilary Denk, Vice President, Issues
Heather Cunningham, Co-chair, Issues Committee
Janet Craft and Margaret O'Hara Issues Specialists
ACTION NEEDED: NOW
Governor Rauner indicated recently he was meeting with advocates on both sides of the issue to consider what action he would take on HB40, though stated earlier he would veto it. The bill, held since May, is on its way to Governor Rauner's desk for signature. The Governor has 60 days to sign the bill, amendatorily veto it or veto it outright.
Please call Governor Rauner's office in Chicago 312-814-2121 or Springfield 217-782-0244, and ask him to sign HB40 into law.
WHY IT MATTERS:
HB40 repeals a trigger provision in the 1975 Illinois Abortion Law that states if Roe v Wade is ever overturned or modified by the US Supreme Court, Illinois will revert back to its pre-Roe law that made abortion an illegal criminal act. A repeal of this trigger insures that women's healthcare decisions will be protected in Illinois regardless of the Supreme Court Decision.
This bill also allows women covered by Medicaid and the State Employees Health Insurance to have coverage for abortion care. Like all other women in Illinois these two groups of women have a right to make their personal health care decisions.
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