(This article was also published in
The Catholic Post on March 17th.)
The State of Illinois is at risk of falling more into a
culture of death with two dangerous bills being proposed in our state
legislature. HB2489 and HB2467 threaten lives of unborn children and religious
liberties of health care providers. Here are just some of the details of these
bills.
HB2495, the “Reproductive Health Act,” makes multiple changes
to the state’s abortion laws:
It allows abortion at any gestational age, for any reason.
It repeals the “partial-birth” abortion ban (dilation and extraction) and may
allow for clinics to let surviving babies die after a botched abortion.
It requires every health insurance policy offered in the state
to cover abortion at no extra cost, with no exemptions.
It removes conscience protections from doctors and facilities,
including Catholic hospitals, which
do not wish to perform or refer for abortions.
A quote from the bill states: “A fertilized egg, embryo,
or fetus does not have independent rights under the laws of this State.”
HB2497 repeals the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act,
which would allow a minor to have an abortion, medical or surgical, without her
parents knowing about it. This entices young girls from neighboring states,
sometimes with an abuser, to cross state lines and procure abortions here.
TAKING ACTION
Please take the following steps right away to combat this
attack on unborn life and religious freedom.
First, pray! Pray for legislators to have the wisdom and
courage to stop these bills from being passed, and pray for the mothers,
fathers, and unborn children who would be directly impacted by this legislation.
Second, spread the word about these bills, in your parishes
and on social media. It may not be popular, but as faithful Catholics we must
speak up.
Third, gather a group from your community to attend the
“Vote NO on HB2495 and HB2467 Rally” at the State Capitol on Wednesday, March
20. Catholics from the Dioceses of Peoria, Belleville, Rockford and Springfield
will also take part in a Life Advocacy Day on March 20, while those from the
Archdiocese of Chicago and Diocese of Joliet will travel to Springfield on
April 3 for a Life Advocacy Day. For more information, go to illinoisrighttolife.org,
call (312) 422-9300, or contact the Cecilia Soñé, director of the Respect Life
Office of the Diocese of Peoria, at csone@ccdop.org or (309) 671-1550.
Fourth, file witness slips online. This is a way to let
legislators know you oppose these bills. It takes less than five minutes to
complete. Here are the steps to do this:
-
Fill in your information. Put “Self” in the fields for
“Firm/Business,” “Title,” and “Persons, groups represented in this appearance.”
Click on “opponent” under “Position.”
Click on "Record of Appearance Only" under “Testimony.”
Click on “I Agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement."
Click on “Create (Slip).”
Other action steps include contacting your state representative
and state senator to express your strong opposition to these bills. Phone calls
and letters are helpful, along with online petitions. You do not need a
computer to express your opinion.
Finally, pray again, and without ceasing. Thank you for
supporting the dignity of human life!
MARY ANN Hughes
is the vice president/secretary of the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic
Women and serves as its Chair of Pro-Life Concerns. She attends St. Mary Church
in Westville.
Joann Hillebrand is a past
President of the National Council of Catholic Women. She served as Treasurer General of the World
Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO.) She has been an active leader
on all rings of Council, serving as parish president, deanery president, Joliet
Diocesan President, and Chicago Province Director. At the end of her term as NCCW President,
Joann was awarded the Papal Medal, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for Church and
Pope.) This is the highest honor given to lay people for their work in the
Church. In her spare time, she enjoys
gardening, cooking for company, and traveling. Joann is a widow, mother, and
grandmother. One of her joys is spending
time with family. 
