Chicago City Wire

Martin Cannon wants to see more states follow the lead of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp when it comes to the issue of abortion.

“Having some sort of heartbeat bill is better than not having any at all,” Cannon, senior litigation counsel for the Thomas More Society, told Chicago City Wire. “We need to be willing to take a stand for the preservation of human life.”

Kemp’s so-called “fetal heartbeat bill” is now the law of the land in Georgia after passing the Republican- majority state House late last month. Also known as the Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act, the bill outlaws all abortions where a fetal heartbeat can be detected, with the only exceptions being instances where the mother’s life would be placed in jeopardy by giving birth and in cases of rape or incest before the 20-week mark where a formal police report is documented.

Martin Cannon, senior litigation counsel for the Thomas More Society

Before Kemp took action, women in the state where allowed to undergo abortion procedures up until the end of their fifth month of pregnancy. The new law officially kicks in on Jan. 1, 2020.

“The timing of this is very important and not just because we have a reconstituted Supreme Court,” Cannon added. “We’ve seen some other states try to move in this direction and when one state fights for a heartbeat bill they need to feel the support. It’s a lot harder to do when you feel all alone.”

Having represented such states as Iowa on such fronts, Cannon speaks from experience. He said Illinois would be wise to now follow suit in trying to get such legislation on the books.

“We encourage all other states to get something passed,” he said. “I’ve been involved in advising people in different states on how to try to get their bills passed.”

In Illinois, freshmen Republican lawmaker Chris Miller (Oakland) recently introduced a bill that would outlaw all abortions where a fetal heartbeat can be detected. The bill has sat in House Committee since early in the session and may not get a full vote before the end of the month when the calendar ends.