McHenry Times

Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) said in his June 6 e-newsletter that he did not support the repeal of the Parental Notification of Abortion Act, and he believes that this repeal will sideline parents' role in one of the most impactful decisions by their children.

"I voted against the legislation, and feel that in their role of protecting their children's medical and emotional health, parents and guardians should not be sidelined as children make an incredibly impactful decision that could carry lifelong emotional consequences," Wilcox said.

Illinois Democrats passed legislation last fall repealing the Parental Notice of Abortion (PNA) Act. This act required that the parent or guardian of a minor must be notified prior to the minor undergoing an abortion procedure. The law did not require consent from the parent but only that they be notified at least 48 hours beforehand. Gov. Pritzker signed the repeal into law, and it took effect June 1. “Just across the river, Missouri Republicans have nearly eliminated women’s ability for women to access vital reproductive health care,” Pritzker said during a campaign stop in East St. Louis. “While here in Illinois, we’ve fought to expand women’s rights.”

Illinois has some of the most lax abortion laws in the country, according to the Chicago Tribune. Every year, thousands of women from different states come to Illinois for abortions. In 2020 alone, more than 36,000 Illinois women had abortions, while approximately 10,000 out-of-state women traveled to Illinois for the purpose.

"It is a grave injustice that the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pritzker repealed this law," the Catholic Conference of Illinois said in a statement, according to Illinois Newsroom. "The Parental Notice of Abortion Act was a broadly-supported, reasonable safeguard that allowed Illinois' parents to properly exercise love and care for their children."

"Prior to today, pregnant young people could make any medical decision without barriers except abortion. Now thankfully they have the same right to make a confidential decision about their health care as everyone else," said Emily Werth, staff attorney at the ACLU of Illinois, which lobbied in support of the repeal. "Today abortion is treated just like all other forms of health care in this state."