Rep. Hirschauer Defends Reproductive Health Rights as SCOTUS overturns Roe v. Wade

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, issued the following statement upon learning of the overturning of Roe v. Wade:

“Though we knew it was coming, today’s fatal decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to strip our autonomy over personal health care decisions is devastating. Make no mistake, overturning Roe v. Wade and almost 50 years of precedent is dangerous for people in every corner of our country. The most fatal repercussions will be felt by women of color, who already face deadly barriers in accessing reproductive healthcare. Abortion is healthcare — often life-changing and life-saving health care. Led by an out of touch, conservative court, our country took a heartbreaking step backwards today.

“Here in Illinois our reproductive freedom is codified into law; protected by the passage of the Reproductive Health Act in 2019. We stand as a beacon of reproductive rights and justice in the Midwest. Illinois is proud to be a safe haven for our neighbors. To do that effectively we must increase access to reproductive healthcare for everyone. We must make good on our promise of being a haven through policies and funding that supports providers and patients and ensures access to abortion care. A right is useless without access.

“To protect the right to safe abortion in Illinois, I sponsored House Bill 1464. The bill clarifies that a medical professional licensed in Illinois cannot be disciplined in Illinois if another state suspends or revokes their license for participating in or performing an abortion. In this post-Roe era, it is essential we protect our providers from unnecessary sanctions so they can continue to provide vital reproductive health care services. It is critical that we take action on this and other measures in the Special Legislative Session proposed by Governor Pritzker. I am ready.

“As we watch the rights of our neighbors crumble, it is our duty to take action. We have done our best to protect reproductive freedom here in Illinois, but our work is not done. I will continue to fight for the rights of ALL people to access reproductive choice in Illinois.”