SPRINGFIELD – Observing what abortion advocates are successfully pushing into law in other states, thousands of Illinoisans stepped into action last week by filing witness slips online against similar proposals in the Illinois General Assembly.
In ratios of over 20 to 1, Illinoisans said they opposed repealing Illinois' parental notification law (HB 2467). They also opposed HB 2495, an unprecedented proposal that would allow newborns in Illinois to die after botched abortions, minimize health department reporting, allow abortion referral fees and require private insurance companies pay for abortion procedures.
Nearly 13,370 filed witness slips in opposition to HB 2495, compared to 603 in support. Over 12,000 filed in opposition to HB 2467, compared to less than 500 in support.
Illinois Right to Life Action Chairman Ralph Rivera said he has never seen as many witness slips filed on a bill in all his time working as a lobbyist.
While Illinois parents must give permission for their minor children to get tattoos, piercings or tans in tanning beds, State Rep. Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch - Kelly M. Cassidy - Sara Feigenholtz, Robyn Gabel and Debbie Meyers-Martin want minor Illinois girls to get abortions without their parents knowing about it.
HB 2467 was pushed Wednesday to the House "Informed Consent" sub-committee – usually meaning a "brick is on it," but it is still alive and available to be called for action at Speaker Madigan's nod.
The bigger abortion bill – HB 2495 – has also been pushed to the "Informed Consent" sub-committee, but it has 40 Democrat co-sponsors listed: Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy - Emanuel Chris Welch - Sara Feigenholtz - Marcus C. Evans, Jr. - Jehan Gordon-Booth, Thaddeus Jones, Katie Stuart, Elizabeth Hernandez, Ann M. Williams, Deb Conroy, Martin J. Moylan, Daniel Didech, Mark L. Walker, Anne Stava-Murray, Gregory Harris, Anna Moeller, Celina Villanueva, Delia C. Ramirez, Sonya M. Harper, Justin Slaughter, Theresa Mah, Aaron M. Ortiz, Bob Morgan, Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Will Guzzardi, Robyn Gabel, Michelle Mussman, Lamont J. Robinson, Jr., John Connor, Jonathan Carroll, Robert Martwick, Jaime M. Andrade, Jr., John C. D'Amico, Luis Arroyo, Michael J. Zalewski, Karina Villa, Kathleen Willis, William Davis, Carol Ammons and Debbie Meyers-Martin
Three co-sponsors removed their names from co-sponsoring: Reps. Rita Mayfield, LaToya Greenwood, and Camille Y. Lilly. There is opposition rising among doctors as to the bill provisions.
Prolifers intend to turn up the heat and keep their outrage with the proposals center stage, according to insiders. There is concern that Illinois abortion lobby is waiting to later in the session to move the bills, after pro-lifers "cool down."
A rally is scheduled for March 20th to oppose HB 2467 and HB 2495, hosted by Illinois Right to Life, the ProLife Action League and Illinois Family Institute.
Another advocacy day is scheduled for April 4, according to the Diocese of Joliet's website.
