Republican lawmakers sue to block abortion law Rauner approved
The lawsuit wants to keep the state from spending money on abortions as allowed under the new law, contending lawmakers did not specifically set aside money in the state budget to pay for the procedures. The suit filed in
"This is not a lawsuit about restricting or allowing abortions," Breen said. "Unlike more traditional abortion lawsuits where you discuss the specifics on whether a restriction should apply, this is solely about these public funds flowing to these services."
Breen also took issue with the way lawmakers approved the measure. He noted that after the
The lawsuit contends that the delay violates a requirement in the Illinois Constitution that a bill be sent to the governor within 30 days of being passed. Further, it says, the bill cannot take effect on
The Illinois Constitution states that a bill passed after
Madigan's office will represent the state officials being sued, including
State Sen.
"They failed to defeat it in the legislature, they failed to get the governor to veto it, so now they are bringing this specious lawsuit," she said. "Whatever they can do to try to undermine women's reproductive rights."
The law expands taxpayer-subsidized abortions for women covered by Medicaid and state employee insurance. 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 would expand that coverage beyond those cases.
Illinois Right to Life, which is one of the groups bringing the lawsuit, projected that the measure could mean 12,000 additional abortions per year. Another group, however, put the figure at 3,800 a year.
Opponents to expanding public funding for abortions say doing so violates a longstanding principle that taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for a procedure that they might oppose on moral or religious grounds. Supporters say the limits on abortions for women who are covered by Medicaid or state employee insurance create unfair burdens and hurdles.
A Rauner spokeswoman said the governor "understands there will be people who disagree with him." While the governor initially opposed the measure, he said when signing 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," Rauner said. "I believe that a woman living with limited financial means should not be put in the position where she has to choose something different than a woman of higher income would be able to choose."
His approval of the bill opened a chasm between conservatives in his party, who labeled Rauner a failed governor destined to serve one term. It's prompted a potential primary challenge from Rep.
The Republican fighting drew jabs from
"But, perhaps before coming to me, the anti-choice groups and Republican representatives bringing this suit should first have a conversation with the
RELATED: Rauner's left turns on abortion, immigration put his political base in doubt »Rauner's abortion bill veto pledge puts issue at early forefront of governor's race »
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