Abortion rights bill sent to Rauner

Sept. 26--A controversial abortion rights bill has been sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner for his signature or veto.

On Monday, Sen. Don Harmon, D-Chicago, withdrew a procedural hold on the bill -- House Bill 40 -- 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.

"The work of constituents and advocates who have urged the governor to sign this legislation appears to be having some effect, as the governor recently backed away from his promise to veto it," Harmon said in a statement Monday. "I believe Gov. Rauner understands that he has made a commitment to support women's reproductive rights and I look forward to him signing this bill as it passed the General Assembly."

Harmon was referring to conflicting statements Rauner has made about access to abortion services. When he was running for office, Rauner filled out a questionnaire from the pro-choice Personal PAC where he said he supported access to abortion services for Medicaid recipients and women covered by state employee health insurance. That is one of the major provisions of HB 40.

In April, though, Rauner vowed to veto the bill because it provided for public funding of abortions. He said that is something that isn't supported even by some supporters of abortion rights.

Then last week, Rauner refused to say what he would do once the bill is sent to him. He said he was speaking to both proponents and opponents of the bill to get additional information.

Rauner's office did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

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

Pro-life proponents are demanding that Rauner veto the bill to comply with the vow he made in April to veto the legislation because of the public funding issue.

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.

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

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