SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rauner is not saying what he plans to do with HB 40. In April, his office assured social conservatives that he would veto a bill making abortions free in Illinois to expectant mothers on Medicaid and paid for by taxpayers. (See above photo and story HERE)
"Governor Rauner does not support HB 40 and will veto the bill if it reaches his desk," then-spokesperson Allie Bovis wrote in an email.
Things have evidently changed.
Abortion supporters such as Personal PAC's Terry Cosgrove say that even though the state House and Senate passed the measure back in May, they will not send it to the governor's desk unless they know for sure the governor will sign it into law.
Every day that move is delayed leaves less time for a potential GOP primary challenger to organize social conservatives to challenge the Republican governor, which may be why Governor Rauner is ignoring requests to confirm his position on HB 40.
Twenty or so pro-life lawmakers met with the governor earlier this year, saying if he wanted them to support his re-election, he would have to veto HB40.
HB 40 would taxpayer fund Illinois abortions and would attempt to exempt Illinois from federal law if a conservative majority U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision.
At the request of State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington), last Monday Illinois Review began asking the governor's office to confirm the commitment he made in April to veto HB 40. The news source followed up Tuesday, and waited to ask for the third time until the governor returned from his trip to Asia.
Illinois Review will report the office's reply as soon as it is received.
