Governor Rauner speaks with Rep. McSweeney | McHenry County Blog
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Bruce Rauner will veto an abortion bill that could be within votes of passing the Illinois House when they return after spring break, his office told Illinois Review Friday morning.
"Governor Rauner does not support HB40 and will veto the bill if it reaches his desk," spokesperson Allie Bovis wrote in an email.
The governor's response was exactly what State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington) wanted to hear, he told Illinois Review Friday morning.
It was at Rep. McSweeney's prompting that the Governor made his decision public.
McSweeney called on the governor to make his position clear earlier this week, saying whether Illinois becomes one of the few states where taxpayers pay for abortions for any reason could rest in the hands of Governor Bruce Rauner – even before the bill made it to his desk.
"If Governor Rauner makes his intentions known before HB 40 is called, there's a very good chance that the bill will not pass the House," McSweeney told Illinois Review Wednesday.
"I've talked to several Democrats that tell me they are torn on the issue, and if the governor said he was going to veto the measure, I'm fairly certain it wouldn't get the 60 they need to pass it."
HB 40 – an abortion bill sponsored by Chicago State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz – is radical in nature and would burden the already strained state budget, McSweeney said.
Not only would the passage of HB 40 cause Illinois taxpayers to pay for state employees' abortion, it would also remove terminology in Illinois statutes that deem babies "personhood" before birth.
McSweeney said he was expecting pro-abortion lawmakers to call the vote on the floor April 25th, when a "Women's March" was being planned on the State Capitol.
"The vote was very close at last count," McSweeney said. "This is very good news that the governor has announced he will veto HB 40 if it gets to his desk. I'm very happy he's made his position clear."
HB 40 is expected to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate if it succeeds in the Illinois House.
Other Illinois Review stories on the topic:
- State Rep explains why she had an abortion and wants it for other women
- Calumet City lawmaker encourages comment on taxpayer funding abortion bill
- Op-Ed: If you're sick of bad policy, tell your lawmakers to vote no on HB 40
More to come …
