Harper Supports Effort to Protect a Woman’s Right to Choose in Illinois

CHICAGO – Concerned about the continued legal status of abortion in Illinois, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is supporting legislation that would ensure that a woman has the right to have a safe and legal abortion in Illinois, even if the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision is overturned by the United States Supreme Court.

“Women have the right to make their medical decisions in private,” said Harper. “Over 40 years ago, the Supreme Court stated that it is unconstitutional for states to deny women access to an abortion, and now, under the leadership of the new administration, women are once again being told that they do not have a right to decide what is happening inside of their own bodies. If a woman in Illinois decides that she needs to have an abortion, then she should be able to have one without having to put her life in danger.”

Illinois is currently one of four states with a “trigger” law that would make abortion illegal if the Roe vs. Wade ruling was overturned. House Bill 40, which Harper is supporting, would ensure that women would continue to have access to abortion services in Illinois. This legislation has been prompted as there have been efforts made by the new administration and the anti-choice movement to make it illegal for a woman to have an abortion across the country.

“We need to take quick action in Illinois to pass legislation that protects a woman’s right to choose,” said Harper. “Unplanned pregnancies happen primarily due to a lack of education on reproductive health, greatly affecting low-income communities. If proponents of the anti-choice movement truly want to see a reduction in abortions, they should focus their energy on educating people about how to have safe sex. Instead, their movement is using unconstitutional, government actions to control women’s personal choices.”