By: Ashmar Mandou

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, City Clerk Valencia, City Treasurer Conyears-Ervin, and aldermen from across Chicago today called on members of the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Illinois Reproductive Health Act of 2019 (RHA). “While states across the country continue to attack the reproductive rights of women, it’s critical that Illinois stands with those empowering women to make their own choices,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “Every woman in this state has a fundamental right to access to safe, legal abortion in our state. I commend the Illinois House for its actions recognizing the timeliness of this measure.”

At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Lightfoot and Alderman Michelle Smith introduced a resolution demonstrating the city’s overwhelming support for SB 25, which recognizes the importance of a woman’s fundamental right to make her own reproductive health decisions, including the right to choose or refuse birth control, the right to carry a pregnancy to term and give birth, and the right to choose or refuse abortion.

The Illinois Reproductive Health Act of 2019 would protect the full scope of reproductive care including birth control, abortion, in vitro fertilization and diagnostic testing for people in Illinois. While surrounding states have adopted strict restrictions on abortion, the new resolution would affirm the commitment of Chicago to protect a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health choices.

“All across the country, a woman’s right to make choices about her own reproductive healthcare is being challenged, which is why the Reproductive Health Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation being considered in Illinois today,” said Clerk Valencia. “I applaud the Illinois House for taking a stand, and encourage our leaders in the Senate to stand with women in Chicago and across Illinois by voting to pass the RHA.”

All women should have access to comprehensive health care, including pre-natal, maternity abortion care, regardless of whether they have private or government-funded health insurance, which is why, the Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago are calling on the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate to pass the Illinois Reproductive Health Act (RHA) in order to protect the rights of women of the state of Illinois.