The following are responses to Governor Rauner signing House Bill 40 into Public Act. The act is effective starting June 1st, 2018. For more on House Bill 40 please
click here.
Representative Joe Sosnowski made the following statement in response to Governor Bruce Rauner’s announcement about HB40:
“For years, the Governor campaigned as a candidate who would "shake up Springfield" by focusing on the financial disaster that this state had become... and still is. He said that we would leave the social issues alone and focus on what needs to be done to fix this state economically and grow jobs to make Illinois a better place to live and work.”
Rep. Sosnowski further commented, “Most tragically HB 40 will increase abortions. We try so hard to value and preserve life at all stages, yet this bill makes it easier to dismiss the innocent unborn who are our future...and it will cost the state more money. The Governor promised to veto HB 40 in the public, in the press, and in private. I am extremely disappointed in the Governor's actions in supporting this bill, in deceiving so many about his goals as Governor, and in his outright lie about this bill.”
Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti released the following statement:
“As a pro-life Republican, I disagree with the Governor’s decision to sign HB 40. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for a 15-year-old refugee who chose to have me and keep me.
“I realize this bill is a political ploy to divide the people of Illinois. While I disagree with the Governor on this, we must focus on our areas of agreement – enacting real reforms we need to turn Illinois around.”
From State
Representative Allen Skillicorn:
"Today, after promising not to do so, Governor Rauner signed HB40 into law--a bill that forces taxpayers to fund abortions. There are many things this law will ensure. It will ensure that Illinois taxpayers will be paying $30M more in Medicaid they cannot afford. It will ensure that thousands of babies will be aborted. It will ensure that no one will trust the commitments made by this Governor. And, finally, it will ensure that Rauner serves only one-term."
State Rep. Breen reaction to Rauner's signing HB40:
"...I’ve heard Rauner promise the people of Illinois that he had “no social agenda” and as such firmly commit to legislators, the public, and even to Chicago’s Cardinal, Blaise Cupich, that he would veto taxpayer funding of abortions. But he has now broken that commitment, signing a bill that puts taxpayers on the hook to pay for an expected 20,000-30,000 aborted lives per year. And without any source of funding, in the throes of an unbalanced budget. Now, I’ve come to expect politicians to shade the truth, but what’s clear today is that Rauner’s promises were just flat out lies...
In the face of overwhelming evidence of Rauner’s inability to competently administer the Illinois government, inability to stand up to Mike Madigan effectively, and inability to keep his word and his commitments, I can no longer support him. And whether or not they are able to agree publicly, I know hundreds of elected Republicans, along with hundreds of thousands of Republican voters, who feel the same way I do.”
State Rep. Jeanne Ives released a statement following Gov. Rauner's announcement that he would sign HB40:
"The Governor's decision to break his promise and sign taxpayer funded abortion on-demand is a profound and unprecedented betrayal beyond words. This is a tragic day for everyone who values the sanctity of life. The Governor's action today makes Illinois the first state in country to mandate taxpayer funding of abortion under Medicaid at any time, for any reason as a result of signing legislation into law. This is a total failure of leadership."
Former Congressman and radio talk show host Joe Walsh blasted Gov. Rauner for his decision to sign HB40. He also took aim at Republicans who have backed, and continued to back, the Governor.
"Will those Republicans who feign 'disappointment' continue to back Rauner?" Walsh asked. "Who will finally have the courage to do what is right?" he said.
After Governor Rauner signed HB 40 Thursday, Family PAC's Paul Caprio issued a statement 180 degrees opposite of his position just before the November 2014 election.
"Bruce Rauner declared war on the pro-family movement, Illinois taxpayers, and the most basic values of the Republican party.
No serious conservative of any type can consider ever voting for Bruce Rauner again."
State Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) called "unconscionable" Governor Rauner's decision today to signed legislation (HB 40) allowing for state funding of all abortions regardless of the reason. In a statement he said the decision was the ultimate betrayal of trust of the majority of Illinois citizens who oppose the destruction of unborn children.
“Governor Bruce Rauner gave us his word in the Spring that he would veto this legislation if it were sent to him,” Morrison said. “In the last several weeks, as he indicated a reconsideration of that position, Republican legislators and allies offered to accept an Amendatory Veto, but he rejected those ideas. If this legislation is really about the right to choose – then what about my constituents who deserve to have the right to choose not to have their tax dollars used to fund the killing of unborn children? This is a tragic day for Illinois.”
Catholic Conference of Illinois gave this statement:
"Governor Rauner, together with the legislators who voted for this misguided legislation, will now force Illinois taxpayers to pay for the taking of human life, in this case that of a defenseless child in the womb. We remain dedicated to advocating for the dignity and sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and will work to convince the public and our elected officials about the grave moral error this legislation represents."
State Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) issues the following statement regarding the signing of House Bill 40:
“Words cannot express my profound disappointment of the Governor’s decision to sign House Bill 40, which dramatically expands taxpayer funded abortions across the state.
“Taxpayers should not be forced to fund something as controversial and culturally divisive as abortions. Likewise, there is no good reason for taxpayers to be on the hook for someone else’s personal decision..."
State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner announcing on Sept. 28 that he will sign House Bill 40 (HB 40) into law:
“Gov. Rauner’s decision to sign legislation that will now force taxpayers to pay for all abortions, for any reason, for those on Medicaid and who are state employees, is beyond disappointing.
This is a significant change from a national policy that taxpayer dollars do not fund elective abortions."
This from the President of the
Illinois Federation of Republican Women:
"As the president of the largest Republican women's organization in the state of Illinois, it is disappointing that Governor Bruce Rauner signed HB 40 without heeding the guidance of our organization and its members. An organization that values life. Not only is this bill contentious by all accounts, but the fiscal ramifications of the bill are still unknown. The focus should be on guiding Illinois to a solid fiscal footing; instead, democrats continue to push divisive policies that endanger our state and its fiscal viability."
Statements were originally posted by
Illinois Review
