Eric Scheidler at protest in front of Planned Parenthood in Aurora
CHICAGO – Pro-Life Action League Executive Director Eric J. Scheidler said no pro-life voter will vote for Governor Rauner's re-election in 2018 after he signed a bill into law forcing taxpayers to fund low income and state employees abortions.
“When he was running for governor, Bruce Rauner insisted he had no social agenda. But now, by signing HB40, he is forcing Illinois taxpayers to pay for abortions," Scheidler said in a statement. "This measure is conservatively predicted to increase annual abortions in Illinois by at least 3,800. That means 3,800 unborn children will die because Bruce Rauner lied to us and signed this bill. What pro-life voter will stand by him in 2018? None.”
Scheidler said on his Facebook page Thursday that he does not regret voting for Rauner in 2014.
"Believe it or not, I do not regret that vote. If Pat Quinn had won re-election, he would have immediately signed HB40, and we would already be funding abortion in Illinois," Scheidler wrote. "Instead, it took the abortion lobby 4 months to get Rauner's signature. During that time, at least 1,250 unborn children were NOT aborted because this law was not in force. I think my vote worth the lives of those 1,250+ children."
Scheidler said in 2018 he will urge fellow pro-lifers to not vote for Rauner – "even if that means we get a stronger abortion supporter in the Governor's Mansion.
"This kind of political and moral betrayal cannot be tolerated. Period….Rauner will lose the election without our support. And he'll know why."
The Pro-Life Action League is calling for Illinoisans that oppose Governor Rauner signing HB 40 into law Thursday to join Students for Life in a protest at noon Saturday in front of the Thompson Building on Randolph Street.