This week, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a highly contentious bill expanding taxpayer funding for abortions. House Bill 40 was recently sent to the Governor’s desk after it was released from a procedural hold that had been placed on the measure back in May. Sen. Rose voted against this measure.
House Bill 40 allows for the use of tax dollars to fund abortions for any reason, including purely elective procedures.
Prior to the signing of the bill, Medicaid coverage of abortions in Illinois already included cases involving:
Saving the life of the mother
Protecting the health of the mother
Rape or incest
Illinois laws already exceeded federal guidelines by allowing for abortions to protect the health of the mother or in cases of rape or incest. House Bill 40 moves Illinois beyond the position of 47 other states by expanding taxpayer funding for purely elective procedures.