Recently, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 370, repealing the Parental Notification Act (PNA). Rescinding the PNA guarantees that while a pregnant minor can choose to involve a family member or legal guardian in their decision to have or not have an abortion, vulnerable youth – such as victims of rape, incest, and domestic abuse – are not compelled to do so under the law. “With reproductive rights under attack across the nation, Illinois is once again establishing itself as a leader in ensuring access to healthcare services,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This repeal was essential, because it was the most vulnerable pregnant minors who were punished by this law: victims of rape and physical abuse in unsafe homes. I thank Representative Anna Moeller, Senator Elgie Sims and the lawmakers and advocates who have fiercely fought to repeal this law and keep vulnerable young people safe. I’m proud that Illinois continues to be a national leader in protecting reproductive rights.” The Parental Notification Act of 1995 required doctors to notify a pregnant minor’s parent within 48 hours prior to an abortion procedure. To ensure lasting change, the bill also creates the Youth Health and Safety Advisory Working Group to identify laws and policies that impact parenting and pregnant youth.

However, members in the Republican Party vocalized their concern over HB 370, calling it an “extreme measure.” State Representatives Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur); Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City); Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) and Chris Miller (R-Oakland) are issuing the following statement on the extreme abortion measure Governor JB Pritzker has signed into law. “There is no pretense of abortion being ‘Safe, Legal and Rare’ into today’s Democrat party. The ‘Shout Your Abortion’ party has no acknowledgement or care about the humanity of unborn children. But it really should not be surprising that the same far-left extremists who deny innocent, unborn babies the right to life would have no qualms about denying parents the right to know when their minor children are seeking an abortion. As a society, we need to get back to promoting and supporting families and that begins with supporting parental rights. But sadly, the political elites in our government have declared a war on parents. From radicalism being infused in school curriculum to mask and vaccine mandates to now a ban on parental notification, the rights of parents are under assault. We urge parents across the state to join with us in our efforts to end Gov. Pritzker’s war on families.” HB 370 is effective January 1, 2024.