Medication abortion to be added on college campuses passes IL Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill to add medication abortion and contraceptives to Illinois college campuses passed the state Senate on Friday.

The plan would require universities to have a licensed healthcare official to hand out these medications to students.

In the Senate chamber GOP member spoke out against the expansion of abortion medication. Some Republican Senators criticized the plan when the sponsor of the bill did not clarify what a licensed healthcare official is.

Other Senators spoke out against abortion, with state Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Aledo) who said abortion is "not healthcare" and it goes "against God's teachings."

State Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) said this bill will continue to protect a persons right to choice.

"Abortion is healthcare and while there may be people in this chamber who disagree with that its not about morality its about rights," Villanueva said.

The bill passed out of the Illinois Senate on a partisan 37-19 vote. Now the proposal heads to the House floor for a concurrence vote.