Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says he is pro-choice, and he won't apologize for it. The governor yesterday told reporters in Chicago that he supports a woman's right to choose, regardless of her income. That's why he says he signed a new law that will have Illinois taxpayers pay for abortions for women on Medicaid. Democrats at the Illinois Capitol say the law protects a woman's right to choose. Conservatives say the law will force taxpayers to pay for something that many of them don't support.
Some of Illinois' most conservative lawmakers are vowing to never support Governor Bruce Rauner again after the governor signed a law to have taxpayers pay for abortions. State Rep Peter Breen said the governor broke a promise when he signed the law yesterday. Breen said he's watched the governor's inability to lead for months, but the 'broken commitment' on the abortion law is the final straw. Breen said hundreds of elected Republicans, and hundred of thousands of Republican voters feel the same way.
>>> The following statement can be attributed to Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti in response to Governor Rauner’s decision to sign HB 40.
“As a pro-life Republican, I disagree with the Governor’s decision to sign HB 40. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for a 15-year-old refugee who chose to have me and keep me.
“I realize this bill is a political ploy to divide the people of Illinois. While I disagree with the Governor on this, we must focus on our areas of agreement – enacting real reforms we need to turn Illinois around.”
>>> Attorney General candidate Erika Harold released the following statement after Governor Rauner announced he would sign HB 40:
“The Governor personally reached out to me about his decision, and I know he did not reach it easily. While we disagree on this issue, there remains much on which we agree - and that is what unites us as Republicans. We both agree on the need to make Illinois more competitive, we agree on the need to lift up the less fortunate and we agree on the need to crack down on corruption and wrongdoing. As I have stated several times in the past, as Attorney General, I will enforce all of the laws of the state.”
>>> State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner announcing on Sept. 28 that he will sign House Bill 40 (HB 40) into law:
“Gov. Rauner’s decision to sign legislation that will now force taxpayers to pay for all abortions, for any reason, for those on Medicaid and who are state employees, is beyond disappointing.
“This is a significant change from a national policy that taxpayer dollars do not fund elective abortions.
“Illinois is still facing a financial crisis. Not only can taxpayers not afford this, but polls show that the majority of people in our country don’t want their tax dollars funding abortion.
“As a mother of four, I am pro-life will continue to stand up for the unborn and taxpayers.”
>>> The governor’s decision to sign a law protecting women’s reproductive health rights is an important step forward, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said Thursday.
“These protections ensure women have access to the reproductive health care of their choice regardless of economic status. It is an important step forward here in Illinois at a time when so much at the national level appears to be going backward.”
>>> After yesterday's disappointing news that Governor Bruce Rauner signed HB 40, Susan Wynn Bence, president of the Illinois Federation of Republican Women, released the following statement:
"As the president of the largest Republican women's organization in the state of Illinois, it is disappointing that Governor Bruce Rauner signed HB 40 without heeding the guidance of our organization and its members. An organization that values life. Not only is this bill contentious by all accounts, but the fiscal ramifications of the bill are still unknown. The focus should be on guiding Illinois to a solid fiscal footing; instead, democrats continue to push divisive policies that endanger our state and its fiscal viability."
>>> Congressman Adam Kinzinger Tweeted: Gov. Rauner made the wrong decision signing #HB40 today. I am disappointed by his choice & will continue to fight for the sanctity of life.
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