Staff Reports
Lawmakers in a Democratic-led state, Illinois, seem to be in no hurry to advance abortion rights despite the impending ballot measures on abortion across the country this November. Illinois is known for having relaxed abortion laws, allowing the procedure through viability with exceptions for the health of the mother. Democratic state Rep. Kelly Cassidy expressed that they are content with the current laws, stating, We've got time. We can let other states have that runway and have that space. This decision is supported by the state's Democratic supermajority in both chambers and a Democratic governor, making it highly unlikely for any restrictions on abortion to be imposed in the near future.
Governor J.B. Pritzker has advocated for a ballot measure to enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution. He emphasized the importance of upholding women's rights and ensuring constitutional protection for reproductive rights in Illinois. Nevertheless, this push contradicts the sentiments of other lawmakers who are content with the current laws and are not eager to rush the process.
Illinois lawmakers not pushing for abortion ballot measure for November https://t.co/trU2Bop7NH
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) April 30, 2024
The state legislature must refer a ballot initiative to voters by May 5, which is six months before the 2024 election. While Illinois appears to adopt a more lenient stance regarding abortion rights, other states such as Florida, and potentially pivotal swing states like Nevada and Arizona, are progressing with ballot initiatives to protect abortion rights up to the point of viability. This aims to prevent state legislatures from imposing restrictions on abortion access.
This influx of abortion-related ballot measures comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which handed the authority over abortion laws back to the states. The differing approaches of states like Illinois, content with their current laws, and other states moving to solidify abortion rights through ballot measures highlight the deeply divisive and polarizing nature of this issue on the national stage.
