Illinois state Sen. Patricia Van Pelt (D-5) on May 31 voted for a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.
Signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 12, the Reproductive Health Act will make abortions a fundamental right, repealing the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975, including eliminating waiting periods, the requirement for spousal consent, certain restrictions on where abortions can be performed and criminal penalties for doctors who perform abortions. The measure also states that a “fertilized egg, embryo or fetus does not have independent rights.”
Critics of the bill such as Illinois Right to Life claim the bill goes too far and “jeopardizes enforcement of the parental notice of abortion act.”
District 5 includes all or parts of Chicago's Near West Side, North Side, University Village/Little Italy, East Garfield Park, Lincoln Park, North Lawndale, West Garfield Park and Ukranian Village.
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