Illinois state Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch (D-7) on May 28 voted for a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.
If signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Reproductive Health Act will make abortions a fundamental right, repealing the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975, including eliminating waiting periods, the requirement for spousal consent, certain restrictions on where abortions can be performed and criminal penalties for doctors who perform abortions. The measure also states that a “fertilized egg, embryo or fetus does not have independent rights.”
Critics of the bill such as Illinois Right to Life claim the bill goes too far and “jeopardizes enforcement of the parental notice of abortion act.”
District 7 includes all or parts of River Forest, Forest Park, Maywood, Bellwood, Broadview, Hillside, Berkeley, Westchester, La Grange Park, Melrose Park, Western Springs, and Northlake..
Both the House and the Senate passed the measure. It is now being considered by the governor, who previously said he would sign the bill into law.
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