Springfield | As the 100th Illinois General Assembly meets in session at the Capitol, legislators could consider at any time House Bill 40, which reinstates taxpayer-funded abortions for Medicaid recipients and adds abortion coverage to state employees’ insurance plans. But the bill isn’t the only one of concern to Christians and conservatives. The Illinois Family Institute has compiled a list of possible actions currently in committee, and two that have moved on to more advanced stages of the legislative process:
Bills currently in committee include:
SB 64— Religious Freedom Defense Act prohibits discrimination by a government body against persons who believe marriage is one man and one woman and sexual relations are properly reserved for marriage.
SB 78— No contracts or grants for organizations that commit abortions.
SB 1595— Creates the Pregnancy Help Center Referral Act. Provides that a pregnant woman seeking an abortion be provided with the name, address, and number of an organization that does not commit abortions and that provides counseling, education and assistance to help a pregnant mother maintain and care for her unborn child.
HB 282— Prohibits abortions based solely on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex or diagnosis of Down Syndrome or other disability.
HB 283 — Ultrasound Opportunity Act requires an ultrasound be offered to anyone considering an abortion.
HB 532— Amends the Illinois Anatomical Gift Act. Bans the sale of fetal tissue from abortions.
HB 664 — The Student Physical Privacy Act amends the School Code to require a school board to designate each pupil restroom, changing room, etc., for the exclusive use of pupils of only one sex.
HB 2939 — Creates the Campus Free Speech Act.
HB 3210 — Bans abortions after 20 weeks.
SB 629 — Fantasy Sports Gambling allows gambling from any smart phone, computer or other electronic device in every home, dorm room and office.
SB 1268 — Allows non-citizens to vote.
SJRCA 4— Equal Rights Amendment — which, if ratified, will change at least 800 federal laws by eliminating all distinctions between genders.
Bill has been assigned to a committee and given hearing date:
HB 312 — Allows “full prescriptive authority” for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. If passed, nurses would be allowed to write prescriptions, for example, for RU-486, the abortion pill.
Bill has been placed on the House calendar to be called for a vote at any time:
HB 40 — Reinstates taxpayer-funded abortions for Medicaid recipients and adds abortion coverage in state employees’ insurance plans. This bill could be called for a vote any time the House is in session.
Bill has been passed by the Senate:
SB 7— Adds five additional land-based casinos; increases electronic gambling and expands positions at existing casinos from 1,200 to 1,600; gives Chicago a perpetual casino license with 4,000 positions.
To learn more, review IFI’s bill tracker at its website, www.IllinoisFamily.org.
Sources: Illinois Family Institute, Illinois General Assembly