{"id":255577,"date":"2021-10-21T16:38:46","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T21:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=255577"},"modified":"2021-10-21T00:49:40","modified_gmt":"2021-10-21T05:49:40","slug":"illinois-swipe-texas-fine-unintended-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/illinois-swipe-texas-fine-unintended-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Illinois lawmaker swipes at Texas, introduces bill to fine anyone causing ‘unintended pregnancy’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Illinois state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, one of the original sponsors of the state’s extremely pro-abortion 2019 “Reproductive Health Act<\/a>,” recently introduced a law that is meant to be a shot across the bow of the Texas Heartbeat Act.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0TEXAS Act<\/a>, or “The EXpanding Abortion Services Act,” introduced on September 14, would penalize anyone who causes an unintended pregnancy, even if the sex act that led to that pregnancy was consensual. According to NPR Illinois,<\/a>\u00a0Cassidy’s legislation would mimic the Texas law by also allowing individuals to bring lawsuits seeking $10,000 in damages against any individual who caused an unintended pregnancy. Cassidy remarked to NPR Illinois, “If folks are policing the bodies of people who are seeking reproductive healthcare in Texas, well, then maybe we should be policing the bodies of the people who are causing those problems here in Illinois.”<\/p>\n

The law would apply penalties to rapists or anyone convicted of sexual assault or abuse \u2014 categories that many people could support \u2014 but with the bizarre addition of penalties for anyone with whom a woman had consensual sex that led to an unintended pregnancy. The synopsis of the legislation reads<\/a>, “[the act] Provides that any person, other than an officer or employee of the State or a unit of local government, may bring a civil action against any person who: commits an act of sexual assault or domestic abuse or causes an unintended pregnancy, regardless of circumstances; knowingly engages in conduct that aids or abets a sexual assault or domestic abuse or causes an\u00a0unintended pregnancy, regardless of circumstances; or intends to engage in that act or conduct.”<\/p>\n

READ:\u00a0Devastating: Illinois sees 10% rise in abortions in just one year<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Cassidy stated, “There\u2019s certainly an element of \u2018hold my beer\u2019 to this, obviously. But the truth here is if this is our new normal, if this is the way that conservatives are going to police women\u2019s bodies, and we as a state have \u2014 with a great deal of intentionality \u2014 have established ourselves as a safe haven [for abortion], we also\u2026 have to figure out a way to manage that.”<\/p>\n

Cassidy’s legislation would require that half the $10,000 bounty be diverted to a state-managed fund to assist out-of-state women traveling to Illinois for abortions.\u00a0As of October 20th, 16 representatives had signed on as co-sponsors. The first hearing was held on October 19, after which the bill was referred to the Rules committee.<\/p>\n

Illinois Right to Life Action’s Executive Director Amy Gehrke noted<\/a> the obvious unconstitutionality of portions of Cassidy’s legislation, including the allowance for “women to seek damages if they become pregnant after consensual sex” and “the fact that they will be taking money from people to fund abortion.” Gehrke summarized, “There are so many aspects of this bill that make it completely unserious.” Gehrke did stress that Illinois Right to Life Action is in full agreement with prosecution of those who commit domestic violence or sexual assault.<\/p>\n

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I will be introducing a bill inspired by @RepKellyCassidy<\/a> that requires all inseminators to undergo #vasectomies<\/a> within 6 weeks of having their third child or 40th birthday, whichever comes first. \/1<\/p>\n

Additionally, . . .#ReproJustice<\/a> #ReproductiveRights<\/a> #AbortionIsHealthcare<\/a><\/p>\n

— Rep. Chris Rabb (@RepRabb) October 2, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n