Senate Votes to Repeal Parental Notification of Abortion Law
Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), the sponsor of legislation repealing the state’s Parental Notification of Abortion law.
The Senate passed a repeal of the Parental Notification of Abortion law Tuesday night, setting up passage in the House as early as Wednesday.
More from the Chicago Tribune:
The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 32-22 to repeal the parental notification requirement, with four members of the majority party joining Republicans in opposition. Five other Democrats did not vote.
The proposal, which has the support of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, now goes to the Democratic-controlled House, where its prospects remain uncertain.
“This is a necessary proposal to move our state forward to protect our young people, often those who cannot protect themselves,” said Democratic state Sen. Elgie Sims of Chicago, the measure’s sponsor.
Opponents of repeal — largely Republican lawmakers, religious leaders and anti-abortion groups — have sought to frame the debate as one about parental rights rather than about abortion access.
GOP Sen. Jil Tracy of Quincy called the repeal proposal “illogical” and said it’s an example of Pritzker’s “radical agenda” that drives wedges between parents and their obligations to their children.
Four Democrats votes against the bill: Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), and Sen. Meg Loughran-Cappel (D-Shorewood).