Galesburg Reporter

Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) claims the recent repeal of the 1995 Parental Notice of Abortion Act is "protecting reproductive rights" but a freshman state senator out of Woodford County disagrees.

In a statement issued shortly after Pritzker signed the repeal, state Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills) said Pritzker had "officially turned his back on the rights of Illinois parents."

Now Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, on the campaign trail in 2018 | twitter.com/jbpritzker

"Every parent has a fundamental responsibility to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of their children," Stoller said in his Dec. 17 statement. "It is a parent's duty to know about important healthcare decisions and procedures that their children make, so that they can care and support them."

Pritzker's signing of House Bill 370 into law "has made it clear to the parents who live across our state that he believes that they have no right to be involved or even know about their daughter’s healthcare," Stoller's statement concluded.

The new law, which passed the Illinois State House 108-0 in April and the Senate 32-22 in October, among other things creates the Youth Health and Safety Advisory Working Group. The working group's job is "identifying and reviewing laws and regulations that impact pregnant and parenting youth and youth that may become pregnant or a parent," the law's text says.

"The working group shall identify existing and needed resources for pregnant and parenting youth, and youth seeking reproductive healthcare," the text continues. "In this Act, 'youth' means an individual under 18 years of age."

Pritzker signed HB 370 into law on Dec. 17, repealing the Parental Notification of Abortion Act effective June 1. In a press release issued that same day, Pritzker's office referred to HB 370 as "legislation to further protect reproductive rights," commenting that "a pregnant minor" might choose to tell her family about her pregnancy, she is "not compelled to do so under the law."

"With reproductive rights under attack across the nation, Illinois is once again establishing itself as a leader in ensuring access to healthcare services," Pritzker said in the news release. "This repeal was essential, because it was the most vulnerable pregnant minors who were punished by this law: victims of rape and physical abuse in unsafe homes."

Pritzker thanked bill sponsors state Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin), state Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) "and the lawmakers and advocates who have fiercely fought to repeal this law and keep vulnerable young people safe."

"I'm proud that Illinois continues to be a national leader in protecting reproductive rights," Pritzker said.

Stoller was sworn into his first term representing the Illinois State Senate's 37th District this past January.

The Illinois State Senate's 37th District includes all or parts of Mercer, Lee, Bureau, Henry, Knox, Stark, Peoria, Woodford and Marshall counties.