Dupage Policy Journal

Even after speaking to him, Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) doesn't understand why Gov. Bruce Rauner decided to become the country's first governor to force taxpayers to foot the bill for abortions.

“I thought that this should have been an easy bill for the governor to say 'no' to, just based on the fact Illinois cannot afford it,” Oberweis told the DuPage Policy Journal. “His argument is that it will save the state money over the long haul because caring for all the unwanted children will be more costly. I don’t know if I agree with that.”

Oberweis said he hasn't decided how Rauner's decision will affect his support of him.

Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove)

“I will support the governor over (J.B.) Pritzker or any of the other Democrats,” he said, adding that a primary decision might not be so easy. “You have to see who the challenger is and what the arguments would be. In the end, a primary challenger probably won’t be a good idea because it will divert from the overall goal of getting rid of (House Speaker Mike) Madigan."

Illinois will now provide residents on Medicaid and state workers free abortions for any reason until the last day of their pregnancy. Before Rauner's signature, Medicaid recipients were eligible for abortions only in cases of rape, incest, and health and life of the mother.

During his 2014 campaign run, Rauner vowed that he would "have no social agenda" if elected.

Illinois Right to Life estimates the new law will cost Illinois taxpayers approximately $1.8 million and lead to as many as 12,000 more abortions each year.

Oberweis joins several other GOP leaders voicing their dismay over Rauner’s decision. Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) has announced that she will no longer be supporting the governor, saying if his name appears on the ballot as the Republican nominee she will skip over it.