Abortion rights bill on way to Rauner

Sept. 25--A controversial abortion rights bill is going to Gov. Bruce Rauner.

On Monday, Sen. Don Harmon, D-Chicago, withdrew a procedural hold on the bill that has stopped it from going to the governor since it passed the legislature in May.

Harmon said he wanted to give Rauner time to change his mind about his threat to veto the legislation. Harmon could not immediately be reached Monday.

Now that the hold has been lifted, the bill will be sent to Rauner, who must act on it within 60 days. Abortion rights activists are demanding that Rauner sign the bill to live up to promises he made about pro-choice positions during the 2014 campaign for governor.

Pro-life proponents are demanding that Rauner veto the bill to comply with a vow he made in April to veto the legislation should it reach his desk. At the time, Rauner cited concerns over a provision in the legislation to have Medicaid and state employee health insurance pay for abortions.

The other major provision in the bill removes the so-called "trigger" language currently in state law. That language would make most abortions in the state illegal in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Whatever Rauner decides to do with the bill could cost him support in his upcoming bid for reelection. By signing the bill, he would alienate social conservatives that are part of the Republican Party base. If he vetoes it, Rauner could risk support among pro-choice Republicans.

This story will be updated.

Contact Doug Finke: [email protected], 788-1527, twitter.com/dougfinkesjr

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