HB 6205, the Reproductive Health and Access Act, passed out of the Human Services Committee of the House today and could be voted upon as early as next week in the Illinois House. Although the bill was amended in the Human Services Committee, there are some major problems with the legislation.

1) Abortion is made into a "fundamental right" for a woman, meaning there can be no interference with receiving an abortion or contraception. In other words, there is a right to an abortion, a right to contraception, and a right to state funding for both (including contraception for boys).

2) This will overturn the Ban on Medicaid Funding of Abortion, requiring taxpayers who have religious and conscientious objections to abortion to pay for abortion with state dollars. In 1978, the last year before the passage of the Ban on Medicaid Funding of Abortion, the state paid for 12,738 abortions. Within two years after the passage of the bill, the number of abortions paid for by the state dropped to 22 abortions. Even though a judge required that "health" of the woman be added to the legislation, the number of abortions paid for by Illinois taxpayers hovers between 200-300 abortions, not 10,000-20,000 abortions.

3) Comprehensive sex education which conforms to the human rights act (sexual orientation) will be required for all public schools. This means that homosexuality must be taught as being as valid as heterosexuality to all public school students. Although the bill states the information must be "age-appropriate", mentioning what is considered age-appropriate for 5 year-olds would make one blush.

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With a tremendous outcry last year, citizens of Illinois helped to defeat HB 2354, the Reproductive Health and Access Act, better known to us as the FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act). On the last day to file legislation, Rep. Barbara Currie (D) introduced HB 6205, The Reproductive Health and Access Act. Although the Act is structured differently than HB 2354, it does essentially the same things as HB 2354.HB 6205, as introduced by Rep. Barbara Currie (D), creates a "fundamental right of privacy with respect to reproductive decisions." This means that there is a right to abortion, contraception, and state funding of both at any age (even for boys getting contraception).

Most of the following information is from an analysis of the legislation by pro-life lobbyist Ralph Rivera.

Because abortion would be considered a fundamental right, there can be NO "interference" with obtaining an abortion or contraceptives at any age, by any political division or subdivision of the state (by any government agency or part of the government). If there is a "violation," the individual can sue for civil action, and the state, county, or other subdivision will have to pay uncertain, but large amounts of attorneys' fees, court costs, etc.

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Call Your Members of Congress and ask them to vote NO on Healthcare

PELOSI: Buy a $15,000 Policy or Go to Jail

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Please Contact Your U.S. Representative Now!

(Information from the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries)

A bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would require all Americans to purchase government approved health insurance. Your sharing through Samaritan Ministries (or other medical need sharing ministries such as Medishare) will not be considered adequate to meet the bill’s requirements in its current form.

A vote is planned for this week on H.R. 3962 – The Affordable Health Care for America Act. Despite all of our efforts to date, H.R. 3962 does not provide any exemption for the members of health care sharing ministries.

It is important to cry out to God for protection from this violation of our religious freedom and to contact your U.S. Representative now, appealing for protection.

• Ask your Representative to protect health care sharing ministries.
• Ask your Representative to insist on amending H.R. 3962 – The Affordable Health Care for America Act with language similar to that in S. 1796, the bill from the Senate Finance Committee that provides such an exemption.
• Ask your Representative to vote against H.R. 3962 unless an exemption for health care sharing ministries is provided

For best results call your Representative’s district office that is closest to you, so he will know that you are from his district. You can find your Representative's contact information here.

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From Illinois Family Institute Website:

Marriage Rally

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

Thursday, October 29th
at the Lincoln Stature on 2nd Street and Capitol Drive at Noon.

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The following from Phyllis Schlafly and Eagle Forum is a MUST READ for everyone!

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For the very first time in Illinois History, a same-sex marriage bill has been filed in the Illinois Senate. Senator Heather Steans announced that she has filed a same-sex marriage bill in the Senate on October 1, 2009. While the fight on same-sex marriage has been mainly confined to the Illinois House, it now appears to be moving to the Senate as well. Senator Steans has also sponsored a Domestic Partners Death Benefits bill (SB 245) and a bill for homosexuals to change their gender on their birth certificates (SB 1341). Neither of these bills have moved in the Senate. You can go to the redeye website http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/redeye/2009/10/illinois-senate-gets-first-marriage-equality-bill.html for more information.

This highlights the need for us to continue to press forward in our fight for marriage. Illinois Family Institute is sponsoring a rally in support of Traditional Marriage on Thursday, October 29, 2009, in Springfield, Illinois. For more information on the rally go to  http://www.illinoisfamily.org/news/contentview.asp?c=34557

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In With a Bang, Out With a Whimper!

The legislative session that began with a bang (impeachment) has gone out with a whimper--no tax increases, no civil unions, no medical marijuana, no new casinos. The legislature has been in every day since Memorial Day, with several long days (although every day seems long with the other side looks like they're making progress). When I left the Capitol at 1:30 last night, the Senate had adjourned and the House was about to adjourn. There is a budget in place, but it is only 50% of what the Governor requested--what Illinois actually has available to spend.

The Governor is not happy with the budget, and neither are the 31 Senators and the 40 some House members who voted for a huge tax increase--that did not pass. This morning at 10 AM, the Governor begins his meetings with the four legislative leaders to negotiate some kind of increase in funding (tanslation--tax increase) to be able to have a budget that he (and many legislators) believes will be a better budget to meet the needs of the state.

Civil Unions legislation was not called for a vote, which means that the sponsor recognized that he did not have the votes to move it forward. The so-called "Medical" Marijuana bill did not come up for a vote in the House because the votes were not there for it. A vote was taken on the tax increase which the Senate passed Saturday night, but fell short in the House. The Senate passed a massive gambling expansion bill, giving land based casinos to Chicago, Danville, Lake County, and Rockford. It did not come up for a vote in the House.

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