Illinois House Agriculture Committee To Hear Abortion Bill In Strategic Move From Pro-Life Reps

[maddezmom]

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House Bill 4117 would amend the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act to extend a host of new requirements to surgical centers that perform abortions, as well as "any other facility where 50 or more abortions are performed in any calendar year." The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois calls the regulations "excessive and medically unnecessary" and accuses the bill of targeting women's health clinics to impose undue burdens on their operations.

The standoff between pro-choice and pro-life activists isn't uncommon, but the battleground is: the bill is scheduled to be heard in the Agriculture and Conservation Committee on Feb. 21.

Last year, the Better Government Association reported that seven bills had been sent through the Agriculture Committee that had nothing to do with farming or the environment, most of which dealt with controversial issues including gambling, abortion and even the state's hotly-debated concealed carry measure.

Downstate Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) told the BGA that the bills' placements were no accident, and that the Agricultural committee's tendency to support pro-gun bills and other conservative policies has been widely known by activists and legislators.

more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/16/illinois-house-agricultur_n_1283001.html

[niyad]

1. proof of the absolute contempt these cretins have for women

[madrchsod]

2. sometimes i`m ashamed to live in illinois....

[maddezmom]

3. Update: IL House panel approves 2 anti-abortion measures

Feb 21, 2012 11:00pm

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois women who want to get abortions might be required to either view an ultrasound before the procedure or decline to do so in writing, under proposals that passed an Illinois House committee Tuesday.

The two measures call for more regulations on centers that perform abortions — including requiring doctors to ask if the patient wants to see an ultrasound and additional building regulations on the actual clinics — were passed overwhelmingly in the Agricultural Committee. They head to the House floor for debate.

Supporters of the bills say clinics should be regulated more strictly to protect women's health and that viewing an ultrasound picture of a fetus would help women make informed decisions. Dawn Behnke, executive director of Illinois Federation of Right to Life, said the clinics should meet the tougher standards "to protect women."

But opponents disagreed.

The Illinois Department of Public Health opposes the additional clinic regulations, calling them "misguided" and medically unnecessary.

more: http://www.necn.com/02/21/12/IL-House-panel-approves-2-anti-abortion-/landing_health.html?&apID=54b5364ab3004aafb361dab7f89a5c3d