Illinois Senate passes increased abortion protections bill; House to vote later

The Illinois Senate passed a bill Tuesday night that would grant expanded abortion protections for Illinoisans and those traveling to the state for reproductive health services. It will now head to the Illinois House for consideration in the final hours of the 102nd General Assembly.

Passage of House Bill 4664 grants protection for reproductive health care patients and providers against out-of-state legal action, while expanding access to reproductive care. Health care professionals in the state would also not have to face higher rates from insurers when providing care for those outside of their network.

Senate President Don Harmon said in a statement that the legislation "solidifies our state against current and future attacks from those looking to roll back the clock and reverse progress.”

“In Illinois, we trust women, and we will protect their right to make their own decisions about their health care and their bodies," he said.

Republicans were opposed to the legislation, which did garner some Democrat opposition as well. State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, was among those not in favor of HB 4664.

State Sen. Sally Turner, R-Beason, said in a statement the bill was not really about protection.

"We have found ourselves at the point that any new pro-abortion law is no longer about protecting the right to get an abortion, but to come up with new and extreme ways to promote getting an abortion,” she said.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision last summer, Gov. JB Pritzker called for a special session to expand abortion services in the state.

That session never happened, nor did it receive any action during the veto session most likely due to these pieces of legislation requiring a super-majority to pass.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois Senate passes increased abortion protections bill; House to vote later