Gov. JB Pritzker today marked the 46th anniversary of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion across the country by signing an executive order ensuring that all state worker health insurance plans cover the procedure as called for by a controversial Illinois law.
Legislation allowing taxpayer funds to be used for elective abortions for state workers and Medicaid clients passed the Illinois legislature during the Spring 2017 session, and was signed into law by then-Gov. Bruce Rauner in September 2017. The Catholic Conference opposed the authorizing legislation outlined in House Bill 40.
Prtizker in a press release said today’s action “will fully implement all the provisions of HB 40.”
Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, issued the following statement:
“Although taxpayer-funded abortion is law in this state, the Catholic Conference of Illinois believes laws should protect and respect all Illinois citizens – born and unborn.”
The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 22, 1973 — 46 years ago today — ruled 7-2 in Roe v. Wade, legalizing abortion nationwide.
The governor’s executive order calls for the Illinois Department of Central Management Systems to review coverage offered by all state employee health insurance plans, and to submit a plan to ensure coverage of elective abortions by July 1.
It is not known at this time if enforcement of House Bill 40 has been deficient.