SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Democratic lawmakers are bashing a Republican bill to ban abortion in Illinois just days after the sponsor celebrated with advocates.
Sen. Neil Anderson's plan states that anyone choosing to have an abortion could face the same charges as someone killing a person.
House Democrats said this bill is extreme and criminalizes abortion patients, people going through IVF treatment and their healthcare providers.
"This bill opens the door to first-degree murder charges for women and doctors, all by granting constitutional rights to a fertilized egg," said Rep. Dagmara Avelar (D-Romeoville). "There are no exemptions — not for rape, incest, or IVF."
Anderson spoke about his proposal while standing alongside pro-life advocates in Springfield Tuesday. The Andalusia Republican has also filed a bill to reinstate the death penalty for first-degree murder.
"We are outlawing abortion," Anderson said. "There's nobody up here that wants to put women in jail. That's nowhere in the bill. Gender is not listed in this bill. We're asking for equal protection under the law for our unborn neighbors."
Anderson said he is called to do God's will and stand for justice. However, his bill will never leave the Senate Assignments Committee in Springfield due to the chamber's Democratic supermajority.
Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and the Senate Republican caucus oppose the bill. Anderson was forced to resign from his Senate GOP leadership roles after filing the legislation.
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