State of Illinois Archives: on Abortion
Alan Keyes:
Running because of Obama’s extreme pro-abortion votes
[In looking over Obama’s] record, I was absolutely convinced that SOMEBODY had to run against Barack Obama! But if [his liberal voting record] had been the only points of difference between us, it would not have been me! What finally caught my eye,
is when I learned that he had, in April 2002, apparently cast a vote that would continue to allow live birth abortions in the state of Illinois.
Source: Senate announcement speech in Arlington Heights, Illinois
Aug 8, 2004
Alan Keyes:
Running because of Obama’s extreme pro-abortion votes
[In looking over Obama’s] record, I was absolutely convinced that SOMEBODY had to run against Barack Obama! But if [his liberal voting record] had been the only points of difference between us, it would not have been me! What finally caught my eye,
is when I learned that he had, in April 2002, apparently cast a vote that would continue to allow live birth abortions in the state of Illinois.
We are talking about a situation in which, in the course of an abortion procedure, a child has been born alive, is out of the womb, breathing and living on its own, and he cast a vote against the idea that we should not stand by and let that child die!
Now, some may see in that only an issue of sentiment and emotion, but I have to tell you that that involves an issue of the deepest principle for the people of this state and for our nation as a whole.
Source: Senate announcement speech in Arlington Heights, Illinois
Aug 8, 2004
Alan Keyes:
Pro-choice stance is the slaveholder’s position
Q: Doesn’t your pro-life stance conflict with your support of the death penaty?KEYES: It doesn’t conflict at all. Abortion and capital punishment are at different level of moral concern.
OBAMA: It’s unfortunate that with the death penalty
Mr. Keyes respects that people may have a different point of view but with the issue of abortion he has labeled people everything as terrorists to slaveholders to being consistent with Nazism for holding an opposing point of view.
KEYES: Mr. Obama has read the newspapers too much. I don’t call people names. I make arguments. And in point of fact, [the pro-choice stance] is the slaveholder’s position. Slaveholders took the view that black people were not developed enough to be
treated as human beings and therefore can be bought and sold like animals. People looking at the babe in the womb take the view that it is not developed enough to be treated as a human being and therefore can be killed at will.
Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes
Oct 21, 2004
Alexi Giannoulias:
Protect Roe v. Wade; fund prevention and contraception
The decision to have an abortion is a deeply personal and difficult one. Alexi is committed to protecting a woman's right to choose under Roe v. Wade, and opposes any constitutional amendment that would override that right.Alexi supports more funding
for preventive initiatives aimed at reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies, including greater access to contraceptives that curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and comprehensive sex education programs that teach safe sex methods.
Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, AlexiForIllinois.com, "Issues"
Dec 25, 2009
Ameya Pawar:
Pro-choice even if Roe overturned
Health care is a human right, and that includes reproductive care. Ameya has always defended a woman's right to choose and as governor, he will continue to fight to provide access to affordable comprehensive care to
urban and rural communities across the state. Ameya supports legislation that would protect a woman's agency over her own body in the event that the federal government rescinds those rights.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website pawar2018.com
Sep 1, 2017
Barack Obama:
Protect a woman’s right to choose
For almost a decade, Obama has been a leader in the Illinois legislature in the battle to protect a woman’s right to choose and promote equal economic rights and opportunities.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com
May 2, 2004
Anne Stava-Murray:
Progressive and pregnant prochoice champion
A progressive (and pregnant!) prochoice champion. She unofficially founded the local chapter of the Women's March and lobbied the local government on prochoice positions. Stava-Murray went to Springfield to lobby on HB40, legislation that provides state
health insurance and Medicaid coverage for abortions. Stava-Murray, a prochoice advocate, understood the importance of including abortion services in the state health insurance and Medicaid. Reproductive Rights is Anne's top issue.
Source: DailyKos blog on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Feb 14, 2018
Anne Stava-Murray:
OpEd: Supports expanded abortion rights
Repeal partial birth abortion ban; allow abortion through all 9 months; eliminate licensing, health and safety inspections of abortion clinics; force private insurance companies to cover abortions; allow non-physicians to do chemical/medical abortions;
remove physician requirements for babies born alive; remove requirement to investigate "maternal or fetal death due to abortion." Add "age" to "health of the patient" making the Parental Notification of Abortion Act wide open to court challenges.
Source: Illinois Family Institute on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Feb 14, 2018
Barack Obama:
Moral accusations from pro-lifers are counterproductive
Q: [to Keyes]: Doesn’t your pro-life stance conflict with your support of the death penalty?KEYES: It doesn’t conflict at all. Abortion and capital punishment are at different level of moral concern. Abortion is intrinsically, objectively wrong and
sinful whereas capital punishment is a matter of judgment, which is not in and of itself a violation of moral right. The question of whether or not you should apply capital punishment depends on circumstances and it’s an area where Catholics have a right
to debate and disagree.
OBAMA: Now I agree with Mr. Keyes that the death penalty and abortion are separate cases. It’s unfortunate that with the death penalty Mr. Keyes respects that people may have a different point of view but with the issue of
abortion he has labeled people everything as terrorists to slaveholders to being consistent with Nazism for holding an opposing point of view. That kind of rhetoric is not helpful in resolving a deeply emotional subject.
Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes
Oct 21, 2004
Bruce Rauner:
Pro-choice Republican torn if Roe overturned
He announced he'll veto abortion legislation HB40. The measure keeps abortion legal in Illinois if Roe v. Wade is overturned, calling for expanding abortion coverage under Medicaid and in state worker health plans.
Illinois has "trigger" language on the books that threatens to automatically make abortion illegal if the high court overturns Roe. So if the governor vetoes the measure, it opens him to criticism that he isn't a committed supporter of abortion rights.
Source: Politico.com on 2018 Illinois gubernatorial race
May 5, 2017
Bruce Rauner:
Personally pro-choice, but respects religious objections
Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Pritzker: Legal. "An unwavering supporter of women's rights, a woman's right to choose and her right to privacy."
Rauner: Mixed. Signed bill to expand and protect abortion coverage. Personally pro-choice, but respects religious and moral objections, supports "pro-life" candidates.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Illinois Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Chris Kennedy:
Pro-choice even if Roe overturned
Chris Kennedy supports equal rights for women. He believes in equal pay for equal work, supports paid family and medical leave, the fight for $15, freedom from violence and sexual harassment, and full access to medical care for women, which should
include everything from cancer screenings to prenatal care and a woman's right to choose. As governor, Chris would sign HB40, which protects access to abortion in Illinois, even if the U.S. Supreme Court overthrows Roe v. Wade.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website KennedyForIllinois.com
Sep 1, 2017
Daniel Biss:
Criticized governor for attempt to ban abortion
Biss last year ran a political action committee that sought to link Rauner to President Donald Trump. At his campaign announcement this year,
Biss criticized Rauner for refusing to speak out against Trump's attempts to curb immigration, to ban abortion and to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Source: Chicago Tribune on 2018 Illinois gubernatorial race
Mar 20, 2017
Daniel Biss:
Protect the right to choose
The federal government will not tell the women of Illinois what to do with their bodies.
Daniel sponsored HB40, which protects a woman's right to choose even if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website DanielBiss.com
Sep 1, 2017
Darren Bailey:
Opposes expansion of abortion access, taxpayer funding
As a man of faith, Darren is proudly pro-life and will always stand up to protect the rights of the unborn. Darren believes in the sanctity of life, and as a state legislator, voted against the extreme overhaul and expansion of abortion access in
Illinois. Darren opposes state and taxpayer funding of abortions. As Governor, he will continue to defend innocent life.
Source: 2021 Gubernatorial campaign website BaileyForIllinois.com
May 30, 2021
Darren Bailey:
Abortion
AdWatch: No exception for rape or incest
TV SPOT TITLE: "Too Extreme"ADVERTISER: Pritzker for IL Governor
NARRATOR: You may have thought you heard everything that Darren Bailey had to say about abortion.
DARREN BAILEY: "Right now, my answer is no."
NARRATOR: But that's not all Darren Bailey has said.
DARREN BAILEY: "The attempted extermination of the Jews of World War II doesn't even compare on a shadow of the life that has been lost with abortion."
NARRATOR TEXT: Darren Bailey: Too extreme for Illinois. Paid for by JB for Governor
Source: AdWatch on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
Jul 22, 2022
Doug Truax:
Calls himself "very pro-life" & supports limiting abortion
On Teri O'Brien's radio show, Republican candidate Doug Truax confirmed that he will push for a debate with US Senator Dick Durbin before next November. Among a number of issues with which he disagrees with Durbin, Truax, a
West Point grad, said the military should be allowed to interrogate jihadists and not be restricted from using means necessary to protect American lives.He said he is "very pro-life," and unlike Durbin, would support policies that limit abortion.
When O'Brien pointed out that Dick Durbin said in an interview that he changed from being pro-life to being radically pro-abortion because pro-life people he'd met in DC were so mean,
Truax responded, "How's that for conviction?"
Source: Illinois Review on 2014 Illinois Senate debate
Oct 6, 2013
J.B. Pritzker:
Undo restrictions to preserve women's reproductive rights
Pritzker said if he is elected governor, he is prepared to preserve women's reproductive rights at all costs. "We need a governor to sign this bill and when I become governor,
I will demand immediate action and I will be the governor that will sign it," he said.
The bill would remove language from the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975 which declares that "the unborn child is a human being from the time of conception and is, therefore, a legal person for purposes of the unborn child's right to life."
Additionally, the proposal would remove a provision that denies health insurance coverage of abortion to women on Medicaid and State Employee Health Insurance.
Source: Illinois Times on 2018 Illinois gubernatorial race
Apr 27, 2017
J.B. Pritzker:
Unwavering supporter of women's right
Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Pritzker: Legal. "An unwavering supporter of women's rights, a woman's right to choose and her right to privacy."
Rauner: Mixed. Signed bill to expand and protect abortion coverage. Personally pro-choice, but respects religious and moral objections, supports "pro-life" candidates.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Illinois Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
J.B. Pritzker:
Illinois is most progressive in nation for reproductive care
The governor for Illinois bragged that [the] state's new abortion law supposedly signals that Illinois "is a beacon of hope in the heart of this nation." The legislation essentially makes abortion-on-demand a reality and makes partial-birth
abortion legal under Illinois law. "Illinois is making history, because our state will now be the most progressive in the nation for reproductive healthcare," Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement.
Source: Townhall.com blog on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
Jun 12, 2019
J.B. Pritzker:
AdWatch: My opponent compares abortion to WWII Holocaust
TV SPOT TITLE: "Too Extreme"ADVERTISER: Pritzker for IL Governor
NARRATOR: You may have thought you heard everything that Darren Bailey had to say about abortion.
INTERVIEWER: "If somebody were raped, or there was a matter of incest in the family, would you allow that woman to have an abortion?"
DARREN BAILEY: "Right now, my answer is no."
NARRATOR: But that's not all Darren Bailey has said.
DARREN BAILEY: "The attempted extermination of the Jews of World War II doesn't even compare on a shadow of the life that has been lost with abortion."
NARRATOR TEXT: Darren Bailey: Too extreme for Illinois. Paid for by JB for Governor
Source: AdWatch on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
Jul 22, 2022
Jeanne Ives:
Endorsed by Illinois Family Action & Susan B. Anthony List
Illinois Family Action is today announcing its list of "endorsed" candidates. A key race for the U.S. House of Representatives features West Point graduate, mother of five, and economic and social conservative Jeanne Ives who aims to take on the
left-wing incumbent and fan of anti-Christian Dan Savage, Sean Casten. IFA enthusiastically endorses Jeanne Ives for U.S. House District 6. Jeanne has also received the endorsement of the Susan B. Anthony List for her stellar pro-life record.
Source: Illinois Family Action 2020 House IL-5 endorsements
Mar 1, 2020
Jesse Sullivan:
Pro-life, let's try to reduce the number of abortions
[On bipartisanship]: "I am pro-life, but I also realize in this state we have a strong supermajority of Democrats in the legislature," he said. "I'm also someone who likes to get good outcomes. So how are we going to reduce the total number of abortions
over time in the state, which is even Hillary Clinton has stated as a goal of hers. So it's working together with Democrats, Republicans to try to do that.""Not only legislatively," he followed up, "It's trying to look at adoption, foster care."
Source: WCIA on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
Sep 12, 2021
Jim Oberweis:
Abortion procedure should be outlawed
When he first ran for the US Senate 12 years ago, Oberweis angered GOP conservatives by injecting the Taliban into the debate over abortion and declaring it a matter of "choice that government should stay out of."
He later declared himself a staunch abortion opponent and vowed the procedure should be outlawed.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times on 2014 Illinois Senate race
Nov 22, 2013
Kathy Salvi:
Takes traditional party positions, opposes abortion
Salvi has been the establishment's choice, staking out traditional party positions, raising the most money and winning the endorsement of a number of Republican organizations.
She holds conservative views such as opposition to abortion and support for a wall along the country's southern border.
Source: Chicago Tribune on 2022 Illinois Senate race
Jun 28, 2022
Mark Curran:
Opposed partial-birth abortion
Curran, an opponent of abortion rights, was a longtime supporter of allowing concealed carry of firearms in Illinois. He was not opposed to universal background checks to purchase a firearm but contended issues involving mental health and video games
are more significant in dealing with gun violence than attempting to ban high-power weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. "There's a connection to the sanctity of life, that you could kill a baby in a partial-birth abortion," he said.
Source: Chicago Tribune on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Aug 7, 2019
Mark Curran:
Pro-life, only allow abortion to save life of mother
He also said Durbin is "not really a Catholic," noting that Durbin, who is Catholic, has been denied communion in his home diocese in
Springfield because he backs legal abortion. Curran said he is pro-life and would only allow abortion to save the life of the mother.
Source: State Journal-Register on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Aug 18, 2019
Mark Curran:
IL Right to Life Action: rated most prolife in Senate race
Before federal and state elections, Illinois Right to Life Action surveys candidates to determine their position on issues concerning life. For the March 2020 IL GOP primary, the group rated former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran as most "pro-life."
The group rated Mark Curran as most prolife with a "1." The IL Right to Life Action group gave incumbent U.S. Senator Dick Durbin a "4"--rating--Pro-Abortion.
Source: Illinois Review on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Jan 31, 2020
Mark Kirk:
Fund Planned Parenthood for non-abortion health services
Q: On Abortion: Should abortion be highly restricted?Duckworth: No
Kirk: No
Q: On Contraception: Should employers be able to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if they disagree with it morally?
Duckworth: No
Kirk: No
Q: On Healthcare: Should Planned Parenthood be eligible to receive public funds for non-abortion health services?
Duckworth: Yes
Kirk: Yes
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Illinois Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Mike Bost:
Abortions should be illegal except for rape & incest
Bost indicates support of the following principles concerning abortion.- Abortions should always be illegal.
- Abortions should be legal when pregnancy results from incest, rape or the life of the woman is endangered.
-
Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and notification requirements as decided by each state government.
- Prohibit "partial-birth" abortion.
- Prohibit public funding for abortions and organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
Source: 2000 Illinois National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2000
Paul Schimpf:
Opposed "radical" Reproductive Health Act
The state Senate passed the Reproductive Health Act, making way for the governor to ensure abortion remains available in the state. State Sen. Paul Schimpf was among those to vote "no" on the bill, which he called the most radical pro-abortion rights
bill in the nation. "It gets rid of a lot of the meaningful limits . my reading of it, it allows for gender selection of abortions, I think it will make Illinois of the states that has one of the most radical abortion laws," Schimpf said.
Source: Belleville News-Democrat on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
Jun 1, 2019
Peggy Hubbard:
As unwed mother refused abortion after hearing heartbeat
While serving in the Navy, Peggy became pregnant out of wedlock. Peggy went to a Planned Parenthood clinic, but after hearing her baby's heartbeat and seeing an ultrasound, Peggy decided against the abortion. She couldn't make her unborn daughter
pay the price for her actions. Peggy had to physically resist and fight off the Planned Parenthood employees who tried to hold her down and force her to go through with the procedure. Since that day, Peggy has been a strong advocate for life.
Source: 2022 Illinois Senate website PeggyHubbardForSenate.com
Apr 19, 2022
Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Consistent supporter of a woman's right to choose
Raja Krishnamoorthi is a longtime, consistent supporter of a woman's right to choose. As the husband of a physician, Raja believes that women have the right to make their own healthcare decisions in consultation with their
doctors and without the interference of politicians.Raja will stand up in Congress against efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, which is the largest provider of health services to poor women across the country.
He will fight efforts to reduce funding for contraceptive services, including removing those benefits from coverage under the Affordable Care Act (also known as ObamaCare).
And he will work to protect and expand U.S. efforts to improve women's access to healthcare and contraceptive services overseas
Source: 2016 Illinois House campaign website RajaForCongress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Richard Durbin:
Abortion is a private decision
On social issues, Durbin, who once opposed abortion rights, defended his support for the procedure and called it a "private decision" that should be made by a woman, her doctor and her family.
Sauerberg noted his opposition to abortion and said he and his family are actively involved in crisis pregnancy centers that provide women with an alternative.
Source: 2008 Illinois Senate Debate reported in the Chicago Tribune
Oct 7, 2008
Richard Durbin:
IL Right to Life Action: rated "4" for pro-abortion
Before federal and state elections, Illinois Right to Life Action surveys candidates to determine their position on issues concerning life. For the March 2020 IL GOP primary, the group rated former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran as most "pro-life."
The group rated Mark Curran as most prolife with a "1." The IL Right to Life Action group gave incumbent U.S. Senator Dick Durbin a "4"--rating--Pro-Abortion.
Source: Illinois right to Life on 2020 Illinois Senate endorsements
Jan 31, 2020
Richard Irvin:
Pro-choice only for rape, incest, health and life of mother
While never giving a coherent answer on a national abortion ban, Irvin called Pritzker's repeal last December of the state's parental notification law for minors seeking abortions "abhorrent" and said he's hearing from voters that the law needs to be
reinstated. Irvin did not articulate whether, as governor, he would spearhead a push to reinstate the parental notification law. He did say he supports abortion rights in cases of "rape, incest and health and life of the mother."
Source: WBEZ on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
May 9, 2022
Sharon Hansen:
Life begins at conception, but listen to constituents
Question topic: Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.Hansen: Agree
Question topic: Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?
Hansen: I personally am against abortion; however, should a vote come up while I am in office, I would ask my constituents where they are on this issue and ask them to let my office know.
I would then vote based on the majority of the responses my office received. If elected, it would be my job to represent the people and not my personal beliefs.
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Illinois Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
Steven Sauerberg:
I'm pro-baby, pro-mother and pro-family
Q: The one position no one seems to know is your position on abortion.A: Actually, lots of people know.
Q: Okay, can we have your position in a sound byte?
A: If you want a sound byte, it's ‘I'm pro-baby, pro-mother and pro-family.' That's the
sound byte. My background is very simple: My wife and I have devoted thousands of dollars to CareNet crisis pregnancy center and others. My wife now raises funds for a number of different crisis pregnancy centers and organizations.
Source: 2008 Illinois Senate Debate: Illinois Review interview
Jan 20, 2008
Steven Sauerberg:
Born Alive Infant Protection Act is basic humanity
Q: Barack Obama is facing questions for his position while in the Illinois legislature as to his position on the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. Obama opposed it, as the state version included punishment for doctors who allowed babies born alive to die
A: I've delivered 500 babies and I cannot imagine a baby that had potential viability being abandoned. The concept would not have occurred to me, nor would it occur to many physicians, I can tell you that--it's just basic humanity to me.
Source: 2008 Illinois Senate Debate: Illinois Review interview
Jan 20, 2008
Steven Sauerberg:
Provide women with an alternatives to abortion
On social issues, Durbin, who once opposed abortion rights, defended his support for the procedure and called it a "private decision" that should be made by a woman, her doctor and her family.
Sauerberg noted his opposition to abortion and said he and his family are actively involved in crisis pregnancy centers that provide women with an alternative.
Source: 2008 Illinois Senate Debate reported in the Chicago Tribune
Oct 7, 2008
Kathy Salvi:
Let states decide abortion rights
Salvi argued [Democratic Sen. Tammy] Duckworth was an "extremist" on the abortion issue, saying "there isn't an abortion she doesn't support."Duckworth reiterated multiple times she supports codifying abortion access as outlined in the now-overturned
Roe vs. Wade case. "The majority of Americans support a woman's right to make her own decisions about abortion between herself and her doctor with a 24-week viability restriction," Duckworth said. "There are women who are facing cancer treatment but
can't get access to an abortion so they can have their cancer treated. This is inhumane."
Salvi said she agreed with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision reversing the 50-year-old ruling that decriminalized abortions.
States now have the ability to restrict access to abortion services. "I think it's properly in the hands of the states' duly elected representatives," Salvi said.
Source: Crain's Chicago Business on 2022 Illinois Senate race
Oct 3, 2022
Tammy Duckworth:
Majority support a woman's right to make her own decisions
[GOP opponent Kathy] Salvi argued Duckworth was an "extremist" on the abortion issue, saying "there isn't an abortion she doesn't support."Duckworth reiterated multiple times she supports codifying abortion access as outlined in the now-overturned
Roe vs. Wade case. "The majority of Americans support a woman's right to make her own decisions about abortion between herself and her doctor with a 24-week viability restriction,"
Duckworth said. "There are women who are facing cancer treatment but can't get access to an abortion so they can have their cancer treated. This is inhumane."
Salvi said she agreed with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision reversing the 50-year-old
ruling that decriminalized abortions. States now have the ability to restrict access to abortion services. "I think it's properly in the hands of the states' duly elected representatives," Salvi said.
Source: Crain's Chicago Business on 2022 Illinois Senate race
Oct 3, 2022
J.B. Pritzker:
Won't accept women losing rights, expanded pool of providers
When conservatives on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, they didn't strip the right to an abortion from wealthy women, they took it from the most vulnerable women. I won't accept that for the women of Illinois, and neither do the majority of
the people of Illinois. That's why, last month, we expanded our pool of abortion providers and eliminated barriers to access: allowing birth centers to provide all reproductive care, eliminating copays for birth control and abortive medications.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
J.B. Pritzker:
This should be a right that is a constitutional right
Democrats need to be pushing for a national law that protects reproductive rights across the nation. We are going to have an influx of women coming to Illinois, we already are, as a result of shutting off reproductive rights for women in virtually every
state around us. Just look at the map. And we need help in order to serve those people. But we shouldn't have to. This should be a right that
Source: CNN SOTU interviews on 2026 Illinois Gubernatorial race
Aug 7, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026