Record #: R2019-358   
Type: Resolution Status: Failed to Pass
Intro date: 5/29/2019 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Health and Human Relations
Final action: 5/24/2023
Title: Call for Illinois General Assembly to pass House Bill 2495 entitled "Illinois Reproductive Health Act"
Sponsors: Smith, Michele, Hopkins, Brian , La Spata, Daniel , Dowell, Pat, Sawyer, Roderick T., Tunney, Thomas, Reilly, Brendan, Harris, Michelle A., Sadlowski Garza, Susan, Cardenas, George A., Thompson, Patrick D., Quinn, Marty, Austin, Carrie M., Martin, Matthew J. , Mitts, Emma, Silverstein, Debra L., Nugent, Samantha , Hadden, Maria E. , Vasquez, Jr., Andre, Lopez, Raymond A., Osterman, Harry, Coleman, Stephanie D. , Cappleman, James, Burke, Edward M., Taylor, Jeanette B. , Rodriguez, Michael D., Tabares, Silvana, Scott, Jr. Michael, Sigcho-Lopez, Byron, Maldonado, Roberto, Taliaferro, Chris, Rodriguez Sanchez, Rossana , Waguespack, Scott, Ramirez-Rosa, Carlos, Valencia, Anna M., Lightfoot, Lori E.
Topic: CITY COUNCIL - Miscellaneous
Attachments: 1. R2019-358.pdf
Related files: R2023-766
RESOLUTION

URGING THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO SUPPORT HB2495, THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT

WHEREAS, every individual has a fundamental right to make autonomous decisions about one's own reproductive health; and

WHEREAS, every individual who becomes pregnant has a fundamental right to continue the pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion; and
WHEREAS, no person who has terminated a pregnancy has made that deeply personal decision lightly; and

WHEREAS, accessing reproductive health care is not a criminal activity; and

WHEREAS, the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health non-profit, found that women around the world access abortion services at a statistically same rate whether they are .legal and safe or illegal and unregulated; and

WHEREAS, deaths and injuries from unsafe abortions are preventable; and

WHEREAS, marginalized individuals are disproportionately affected by abortion restrictions as they are unable to seek safe and legal services in another country, state or county or access private care; and

WHEREAS, over the last 60 years, more than 30 countries have changed their laws to allow for greater access to abortion in recognition of its vital role in protecting women's lives and health; and

WHEREAS, in 1973 the Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade to protect legal rights to safe abortions; and

WHEREAS, criminalization of abortion results in a chilling effect, in which medical professionals may apply more narrow restrictions than required by the law or in which women and girls may be deterred from seeking health care for life-threatening complications due to unsafe abortions or other pregnancy issues; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, or the Treaty for the Rights of Women), has consistently stated that restrictive abortion laws constitute discrimination against women; and
WHEREAS, under international human rights law, everyone has a right to life, health, and ...

Click here for full text