The Illinois Senate voted Tuesday to repeal a law requiring that parents or guardians be notified when girls younger than 18 seek an abortion.
Democrats who control the General Assembly want to dump a 1995 law requiring notifications, which both sides of the debate call the last restriction on abortions in Illinois. But with a 32-22 tally in favor of repeal, the count fell short of approval of all who make up the Democrats’ 41 to 18 advantage.
State Senator Terri Bryant was one of Republicans speaking up against the proposal.
“We will be complicit in creating an environment that empowers predators, sex traffickers and abusers. Eliminating the parental notice law would be a tragic, irreputable mistake. Taking away the right of mothers like me to support their daughters is criminal. As a mother and grandmother I implore you to vote no on this bill. Protect our children by protecting our families.”
But supporters of the measure say teenage girls should be able to make their own choices about their bodies, especially if their pregnancy is the result of the incest or assault.
ACLU Staff Attorney Emily Worth testified in committee that while minors can currently go to court to get around the notification requirement, it isn’t an easy process.
“There have been many to couldn’t find a way to miss school to attend court during business hours without their parents being alerted. In other instances, a child preparing to go to court through the process was discovered by the parents and it put them in a dangerous situation.”
The proposed repeal now moves to the House with two days left in the General Assembly’s fall session.
