SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Senate passed a plan Thursday to block people from requesting records of reproductive healthcare performed in Illinois.
This proposal states that location information and health records for legal reproductive healthcare can no longer be provided under the Freedom of Information Act.Â
"As the war on reproductive rights continues throughout the nation, we must ensure that those who are seeking reproductive healthcare are protected in every way possible," said Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). "As a safe haven state, we have a responsibility to protect individuals' rights to care and ensure their healthcare records remain private."
Local governments would also be banned from imposing civil or criminal liability against a person or provider who received reproductive or gender affirming care in Illinois.
"You can talk about protecting reproductive rights all you wants," said Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy). "But we better get it right and not provide cover for human traffickers, rape and incest of minor children whatever state they're from."
Sen. Celina Villanueva presented House Bill 5239 on the Illinois Senate floor on May 23, 2024.
Villanueva stressed that Illinois cares about children and prosecuting rapists. However, she noted that lawmakers should also care about bodily autonomy when other states continue to restrict access to care.
House Bill 5239 passed out of the Senate on a 38-19 vote and now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk. The legislation previously passed out of the House on a 72-37 vote.Â
"This preventative measure will offer the necessary protection from the overreaching laws of other states."
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