Labeling it “a terrible day for Illinois,” state representative candidate Darren Bailey is taking Gov. Bruce Rauner to task over his decision to sign into law legislation providing taxpayer-funded abortions.
“Our governor is disregarding his own promise on this legislation and has decided to violate the consciences of Illinois citizens who are morally opposed to abortion on demand,” Bailey, who is running in 2018 against Rep. Dave Reis (R-Willow Hill), said in a press release. “Why should people of faith have to pay the bill for people who want to have an abortion for any reason?”
House Bill 40, which became law Sept. 28, paves the way for Illinois residents on Medicaid or those working for the state to receive free abortions for any reason up until the last day of their pregnancy.
Darren Bailey
Before now, Illinois law stipulated that Medicaid recipients were eligible for abortions only in cases of rape, incest, or when the health and life of the mother was in danger.
Rauner’s signature makes him the country’s first governor to sign off on taxpayer funding of abortions.
“The governor has betrayed the trust of Illinois residents,” Bailey said in the release. “I am not going to take any money from Gov. Bruce Rauner. I think my opponent if he truly wants to stand up for the unborn should make the same commitment.”
Illinois Right to Life estimates that the annual cost for abortion services will now cost state taxpayers approximately $1.8 million.
Of the 15 states that fund elective abortions through Medicaid, 11 of them are required to do so by virtue of a court order.
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