Illinois Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) released the following statement Thursday after Gov. Bruce Rauner announced he would be signing House Bill 40, a measure co-sponsored by Hutchinson that protects a woman’s right to choose in Illinois:
“On May 10, when House Bill 40 was debated in the Illinois Senate, I said that there is nothing more intrinsic to freedom than bodily autonomy. Our ability to make our own decisions with advisors whom we chose to make the best decisions for ourselves and our families must be fiercely protected regardless of income.
“Today, Gov. Rauner agreed with me and thousands of women and men who stood up and used the most powerful tool we have: our voices. Thanks to those voices, House Bill 40 will become law in Illinois. We did it!”
HB40 is meant to protect a woman’s right to choose if the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturned Roe v. Wade by removing a “trigger provision” in Illinois law. The legislation also expands insurance coverage of abortion for women on Medicaid or state employee health insurance plans.