ILLINOIS (WAND) – The Illinois House has passed a bill creating less restrictive language on abortions.
The bill moved through at a 64-50 tally Tuesday afternoon. It would change the state’s abortion law to one with language that isn’t as restrictive and, among other things, would require private health insurance companies to cover abortion if they cover other pregnancy-related benefits.
At the forefront of the discussion, the plan's sponsor, Kelly Cassidy, a Democrat from Chicago.
"We've seen the systemic attacks of reproductive freedom, and it's escalated dramatically over the past couple of weeks," Cassidy said. "I thought it was important for Illinois to change the dialogue."
Cassidy says women have the right to chose what to do with their bodies.
"This bill is codifying existing law in Illinois," she added. "It ensures, regardless of what states around us do, abortion will remain legal here."
In terms of language, its goal is to give “a fundamental right” to make decisions about reproductive health to people.
"We should have that fundamental ability to control our futures and our lives," Cassidy said.
Also at the center of the debate, Avery Bourne, a Republican from Raymond.
"For the state to use what other states are doing to justify their expansion of abortion is irresponsible legislation," Bourne said.
Republicans all stood together as Bourne, who is pregnant, asked questions of the legislation and argued against it.
"This bill would mean that for a women at my stage in pregnancy, where the baby responds to his dad reading him stories at night, the woman could go to the facility and get an abortion," Bourne said.
According to Bourne, this act is unacceptable.
"For anyone who is concerned about abortion remaining legal, it remains legal with or without this bill," Bourne says.
State Reps. Dan Caulkins (R) and Sue Scherer (D) both voted against the bill.
The bill was approved by a House committee on Sunday night, pushing it to Tuesday’s vote with a party-line count. It now goes to the state Senate.
