Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a law on Friday that severely threatens health care professionals’ religious freedom. Here’s how the Republican just upended Illinois’ Health Care Right of Conscience Act and forced doctors, nurses, etc. to be complicit in abortion with Senate Bill 1564.
Effective Jan. 1, 2017, the law requires medical professionals in all capacities to go against deeply held religious conscience by referring patients for abortions and counseling patients on what the legislation calls the “benefits” of abortion.
Illinois Right to Life, as well as other pro-life groups, are calling Rauner’s decision a tragedy. Emily Zender, executive director of Illinois Right to Life, sounded off in a press release.
“We are extremely disappointed in Gov. Rauner for siding with pro-abortion Democrats by signing SB 1564 and expanding abortions in Illinois,” Zender said. “This radical bill is a direct assault on the consciences of medical professionals and the missions of community supported pregnancy help centers."
While Rauner has in the past supported parental notification laws and late-term abortion restrictions, this latest gubernatorial action proves he's far from a leader in the pro-life movement.