SPRINGFIELD – While Illinois minors must get permission to get a tattoo, piercing or enter a tanning booth, no longer will they need parents permission to get an abortion in Illinois – despite abortion being considered a substantial medical procedure.
The Democrat majority in the Illinois House and Illinois Senate voted to repeal the parents' involvement in those decisions.
Governor Pritzker has already committee to signing it into law.
“At a time when reproductive rights are under attack across the country, Illinois is protecting those critical reproductive rights. This repeal was essential, because it was the most vulnerable pregnant minors who were being hurt most by this law: victims of rape, incest and physical abuse,” said Governor JB Pritzker.
“I thank Representative Anna Moeller, Senator Elgie Sims and the countless lawmakers and advocates who have fiercely fought to repeal this harmful law and keep vulnerable young people safe. I’ll be proud to sign this legislation. I will not waiver in the battle to protect reproductive rights.”
State Representative Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) issued the following statement in response to the repeal of the Parental Notification Act:
“As a father of two daughters, I am deeply concerned about the repeal of Illinois’ parental notification law,” said Bos. “Worse though, as someone who has spent years in the fight against sex trafficking I am heartbroken for what this repeal means for victims. This is not hyperbole, I have looked into the eyes a minor girl who was coerced into the sex trade and seen a pain I cannot know. She was saved from her torment because her parents were notified when her abuser took her for an abortion to cover up the crime. And sadly, there are many more like her, but thankfully many of them have begun the process of healing because parental notification was in place.
Bos said it is the responsibility the legislature to pass laws that protect the state's most vulnerable children, not put them at greater risk.
"Unfortunately, the repeal of parental notification means those who victimize and abuse children will now have another tool to continue the cycle of violence, exploitation and abuse of children for their own personal and selfish gains,” he said.
Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) issued the following statement:
HB 370 Senate Sponsors: Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. - Melinda Bush - Cristina Castro - Mike Simmons - Laura M. Murphy, Ann Gillespie, Sara Feigenholtz, Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas, Julie A. Morrison, Jacqueline Y. Collins and Patricia Van Pelt)
