Illinois lawmakers react to leaked SCOTUS draft striking abortion rights, Roe v. Wade case

The Supreme Court is set to overturn precedent and strike down Roe v. Wade, according to a leaked draft decision. The draft, first published by the news organization Politico, is part of the ongoing Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, set to be decided this summer.

Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the draft in a statement, though he said it is not a final opinion.

Lawmakers in Illinois have already started reacting to the situation, with Democrats stressing that abortion is still legal and that Illinois has strong protections for those seeking abortions and health care providers.

"Illinois is a beacon of hope in an increasingly dark world," said Gov. JB Pritzker.

Pritzker added direct criticism of Republicans, insinuating that this is one part of a larger conservative political strategy.

"If you think the Republican politicians who have engineered the court's reversal of Roe v. Wade, are going to stop here, let me tell you otherwise," said Pritzker. "This is just the beginning. Next, they're coming for marriage equality. Then, they will take away civil rights for marginalized and minority communities."

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He was joined by Democratic legislative leaders in their opposition to this potential ruling from the court.

"It's a dark day today, but the sun will shine again," said House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, D-Hillside. "Because we will march, because we will vote. We will vote at the ballot box, we will vote with our pocketbooks."

Welch's counterpart in the Senate pointed out the Republican political strategy of holding open a seat on the court during President Barack Obama's term is part of how the court came to this point.

"This is the most extreme example yet of the Republicans ignoring the will of the people," said Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park. "As long as there's a Democratic majority in the Illinois state Senate, women will have their rights protected. We stand as a bulwark against any effort to turn back the clock to darker days."

About six in 10 Americans think abortion should be legal in most if not all cases, according to polling from Pew Research Center from last year.

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Democratic leaders and other lawmakers pointed to several laws in Illinois that protect abortion rights, including the 2019 Reproductive Health Act, which was introduced as an amendment from Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Evanston.

"Abortion remains legal in the U.S. right now, and it remains legal and will remain legal in Illinois for as long as we can hold that line," said Cassidy on Tuesday.

Other lawmakers with a history of speaking out on this issue said they will continue to advocate for abortion access.

"I am here to my dying day to stand with this governor and these women and men who believe in our rights as human beings," said Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake.

Abortion rights advocates have also cautioned of the effects of this decision.

"This is a devastating blow for the millions of people who will suddenly find themselves in an abortion desert; facing a daunting dilemma — travel hundreds of miles to access an abortion, seek an illegal alternative or carry a pregnancy to term against their will," said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. "We will continue to fight so that everyone can access the fundamental reproductive health care they need and deserve — no matter what."

Republicans and other conservatives however have already started to praise the possible decision and call on Illinois to modify its laws on abortions. They say this is an issue of protecting the lives of the unborn.

"I’ve long advocated for an end to the ‘Roe’ decision. It was wrong from the beginning, and I hope the court’s pending decision empowers states to enact pro-Life laws and protect the unborn," said U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville. Davis represents Springfield, but is running for reelection in a different district.

Davis added that he was concerned with the fact that this draft was leaked.

Some state-level lawmakers share similar views.

"The Supreme Court ruling represents a significant opportunity to save the lives of countless unborn babies, but the real work is only just beginning. I urge every pro-life voter to stand up and let their vote be heard.” said Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich.

Anti-abortion advocates have also spoken out, saying that they will continue their state-level work.

"Every abortion brutally takes the life of a preborn child and puts that child’s mother at extreme risk for both emotional and physical harm," said Amy Gehrke, executive director of Illinois Right to Life. "The focus of Illinois Right to Life will remain on restoring protection to the most vulnerable in our state as well as ensuring their mothers have the resources they need to choose life as well as parent confidently."

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Gehrke, like some Republican politicians, criticized the fact that this draft was leaked, saying it "threatens the function" of the Supreme Court.

Contact Andrew Adams: aadams1@gannett.com; (312)-291-1417; twitter.com/drewjayadams.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois lawmakers react to leaked Supreme Court opinion on abortion