Illinois House Committee Passes Controversial Reproductive Health Act In Springfield
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An Illinois House committee passed the controversial Reproductive Health Act in Springfield by a 12-7 vote.
The bill would repeal the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which puts restrictions on doctors performing abortions at 20 weeks or later. It would also require private health insurance plans to cover abortions and any related care.
The decision to terminate a pregnancy would be left to the patient and medical provider.
Anti-abortion groups fiercely oppose the bill, calling it extreme and too permissive. The Illinois' Catholic Bishops asked lawmakers to set aside considering the vote, "... since no final form of the bill has been published, vetted through hearings or fully discussed."
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot stated, "With the onslaught of attacks against reproductive rights happening all across the country, we must act to double down on protections here in Illinois. The time is now to ensure that we preserve access to safe, legal abortion in our state. We won't go backwards."
Governor JB Pritzker previously said that under his administration, "... the State of Illinois will be the most progressive state in the nation when it comes to guaranteeing the right to choose for every single woman."