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Rauner Explains Signing Abortion Bill

Carleigh Gray
/
WGLT
Gov. Bruce Rauner during his Route 66 motorcycle stop in Lexington on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2017.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner says he understands the moral objections to abortion but signed into law expanded coverage for them because he believes all women should have the same health care options.

Rauner signed the measure Thursday. It expands state health insurance coverage and Medicaid for low-income women to abortions. The first-term governor said in April he would veto the plan.

But he says his decision Thursday is not new. He campaigned in 2014 on support for abortion-coverage expansion and he has generally been in favor of abortion rights.

Signing the law upset conservatives who are already angry that the Democratic-controlled Legislature adopted an income-tax increase last summer in approving a budget over Rauner's vetoes.

The legislation also removes language from state law that critics say would outlaw abortion in Illinois if the 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court opinion is overturned. President Donald Trump has vowed to appoint anti-abortion high court justices.

"We are deeply disturbed that Governor Rauner has broken his word and firm public promise to veto HB 40," the Catholic Conference of Illinois said in a statement. "Governor Rauner, together with the legislators who voted for this misguided legislation, will now force Illinois taxpayers to pay for the taking of human life, in this case that of a defenseless child in the womb.

"We remain dedicated to advocating for the dignity and sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and will work to convince the public and our elected officials about the grave moral error this legislation represents," the Catholic Conference of Illinois added.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider released a statement saying he was disappointed in the governor’s decision.

"The Illinois Republican Party opposes taxpayer-funded abortions," Schneider said. "While I am frustrated and saddened, I also know that Speaker Madigan and the Democrats are trying to use this issue to divide our party and elect a Madigan-backed candidate for governor.

"As chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, I will not let that happen," he added. "Our state faces great challenges, and we are focused on the issues that unite us as Republicans and as Illinoisans. There is no daylight between Governor Rauner and the Illinois Republican Party and we will continue working hard to ensure his re-election and finally defeat Mike Madigan once and for all.”

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