POMONA – While the Illinois Democrat supermajority forcefully pushes to make Illinois even more open and embracing of the abortion industry, at least one downstate GOP lawmaker is trying his best to breathe a bit of sanity into the state capitol's moral vacuum.
Legislation introduced by State Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) to require abortion clincs to offer an ultrasound before the abortion is performed is an effort to slow down the process and provide the expectant mother the information she would need to make an informed decision.
House Bill 683 would create the Ultrasound Opportunity Act. It would require attending physicians, referring physicians or other qualified personnel to offer any woman seeking an abortion after 8 weeks of gestation the opportunity to receive and view an active ultrasound prior to an abortion being performed.
“This legislation does not require abortion clinics to show patients ultrasounds but merely requires them to at least make the offer to do so,” Jacobs said. “There is no question that seeing an ultrasound has a big impact and can change people’s minds about having an abortion. But women should have all of the facts before making such a big decision and besides, anyone who is pro-choice should be in favor of legislation that gives women more choice and that is what my bill does.”
House Bill 683 has been introduced and awaits a hearing in the House Human Services Committee.
