Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) is one of many who disagree with the recent bestowing of the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award to former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards.
The opposition is mostly due to Planned Parenthood’s involvement with abortions, which some argue shouldn’t be considered a humanitarian good. While the award is given to those who are dedicated to and have a passion for civil rights, abortion opponents say abortions violate the civil rights of unborn children.
According to Planned Parenthood’s latest annual report, the organization performed over 321,000 abortions during the 2016 fiscal year. Moreover, under Richards’ leadership, 3.8 million abortions took place.
Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee)
Controversy has surrounded abortions being conducted based on gender or sexual preferences, as well as for genetic defects such as Down syndrome. The latter is the reason behind Skillicorn sponsoring HB4210, a bill to stop abortions based on the disorder.
“I filed HB4210 to address the dignity and as (U.S. Rep.) Nancy Pelosi says ‘spark of divinity’ for pre-born Down Syndrome babies,” Skillicorn said.
As stated in the bill's description, HB4210 “prohibits a physician from intentionally performing an abortion with knowledge that the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion solely on account of the fetus having a test result indicating Down syndrome, a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, or any other reason to believe that the fetus has Down syndrome.”
“Pre-born children are human beings and have human rights,” Skillicorn said. “Down syndrome children are individuals and have human rights.”
Skillicorn is a lifelong resident of the Fox River Valley and represents the 66th House District.
Skillicorn is also committed to lowering property taxes, imposing term-limits for lawmakers, stopping sexual harassment and ensuring all children in Illinois have access to a quality education.
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