SPRINGFIELD – Those state lawmakers that boast pro-life positions during campaigns, but voted to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment will not be endorsed by prolife and family groups in the fall election, a joint statement confirmed Friday.
In April, the groups reprimanded eight Republican senators that voted for the ERA in a statement published by representatives of the Illinois Federation for Right to Life, the Lake County Right to Life, Illinois-Stop ERA, Illinois Citizens for Life, Illinois Family Action PAC and Concerned Christian Americans.
"Pro-life Illinoisans deserve political leaders who will clearly commit to the protection of innocent unborn children, and who will follow through on that commitment," the group said. They specifically named members of the Illinois Senate that voted "Yes" on ERA ratification: Senator Pamela Althoff (R), Senator Michael Connelly (R), Senator Karen McConnaughay, (R), Senator Jason A. Barickman (R), Senator John F. Curran (R), Senator Chris Nybo (R), Senator Sue Rezin (R), and Senator Tom Rooney (R).
"While we are disappointed with all 43 Senators who voted for abortion, we are gravely disturbed by those who solicited pro-life support and presented themselves as pro-life but voted for the ERA. Their vote was a vote in opposition to life and will not be ignored …," the statement said.
A similar statement was issued Friday condemning Illinois House members that claim to be pro-life, but voted "Yes" on the ERA ratification proposal Wednesday night. The measure passed with one vote to spare, making Illinois the 37th state to ratify.
Friday's statement from the same representatives that expressed concern in April in its entirety:
On May 30, 2018 the Illinois House passed the Equal Rights Amendment as Senate Joint Resolution Constitution Amendment 4 (SJRCA4). The ERA was introduced to the states in 1972. An objective reading of the language and history of the ERA makes clear that expansion of abortion rights has always been a principle objective of the ERA proponents. In 1983 when Congress attempted to re-introduce the ERA to the states, the proponents of the ERA rejected proposed abortion neutral language. The writings of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reveal the intended scope of the ERA is to greatly increase the scrutiny of pro-life legislation.
A vote for the ERA is a vote for overturning abortion restrictions and enshrining abortion rights in the U. S. Constitution. A vote for the ERA is a vote against the unborn child. State court judges have held that their state ERAs mandate “HB40” style taxpayer funding of elective abortions. The ERA further threatens parental notification and consent laws throughout the country, along with every reasonable regulation on abortion.
The ERA has now been ratified by the Illinois General Assembly. The Illinois Federation for Right to Life PAC, Illinois Citizens for Life PAC, Illinois Family Action PAC, and Lake County Life PAC will not endorse or support any legislator that voted for such a sweeping pro-abortion piece of legislation as the ERA.
On May 30, 2018, 11 Legislators who claim to be pro-life voted for the pro-abortion ERA. Steven Andersson (R), Dan Brady (R), Jim Durkin (R), David Harris (R), Chad Hays (R), David Olsen (R), Robert Pritchard (R), Sue Scherer (D), Grant Wehrli (R), David Welter (R) and Christine Winger (R) all voted for the ERA. While we are disappointed with all 72 Representatives who voted for abortion, we are gravely disturbed by those who solicited pro-life support and/or presented themselves as pro-life but voted for the ERA. Their vote was a vote in opposition to life and will not be ignored by the undersigned.
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Dawn Behnke, Chairman Ralph Rivera, Chairman
Illinois Federation for Right to Life PAC Illinois Citizens for Life PAC
Bonnie Quirke David Smith, Executive Director
Lake County Life PAC Illinois Family Action PAC
Elise Bouc, State Chairman Reverend Robert Vanden Bosch
Illinois-Stop ERA Concerned Christian Americans
More on the ERA and its long-term effects HERE.
