Ives challenges Rauner on abortion rights at Chicago March for Life

Jan. 15--State Rep. Jeanne Ives joined a crowd of anti-abortion advocates Sunday to criticize Gov. Bruce Rauner for signing into law a bill that expands taxpayer-subsidized abortions for women covered by Medicaid and state employee group health insurance.

Ives, who is challenging Rauner in the March primary, spoke at Federal Plaza in Chicago for the 2018 March for Life. She told attendees that political leaders have "betrayed them."

"We can change this for once and all," Ives said. "We can put the right people in power, the right people in elected office to finally end abortion in our time."

Ives has said she was moved to challenge Rauner after the governor in late September signed the bill into law. The state already covers abortions in cases of rape, incest and when there is a threat to the health and life of the mother. The law expands the Medicaid coverage beyond those limited cases.

Rauner, who has long supported abortion rights, said when he signed the bill that he has "to be consistent with my values."

"I also believe that no woman should be forced to make a different decision than another woman would make purely based on her income," he said at the time.

Clare Diaz, 29, of Lombard, came to the march with her husband and their two young children. She said she was very "sad and frustrated" by Rauner's decision to sign the bill into law and decided to brave the cold to "support life."

Thousands of anti-abortion advocates were met by hundreds of counterprotesters, including 35-year-old Renee Wsol, a reproductive rights activist.

Wsol, of Garfield Ridge, said she wanted to show her "disgust and disappointment" in Rep. Dan Lipinski, a Democrat, who spoke at the event. Cardinal Blase Cupich and Republican Rep. Peter Roskam were also among the speakers expressing support for anti-abortion advocates.

"I'm here to say, hands off our bodies. If you choose to never have an abortion, that's your right. I respect that," Wsol said. "But you don't get to tell me what I get to do with my body or any other person that chooses abortion."

People from surrounding states, including Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri and South Dakota, also turned out.

Peggy Feinendegen, 74, of Mundelein, said she's joined the annual march at least 10 times.

"I will never stop coming out and witnessing and honoring my grandchildren," she said.

nmoreno@chicagotribune.com

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