Dupage Policy Journal

Gov. Rauner’s decision to expand abortion coverage in Illinois has left Dr. Jay Kinzler even more disillusioned with the Republican leader.

“He has done so many things that are anti-conservative,” Kinzler told the DuPage Policy Journal. “He is kind of decreasing his chance to win re-election. I don’t understand why he is doing it because he is never going to get the Democrats to vote for him. He is losing the votes of his supporters."

Rauner recently signed HB40 into law. The measure requires Medicaid and state insurance to cover abortions for any reason up to the last day of pregnancy.  The law bothers Kinzler both morally and fiscally.

Dr. Jay Kinzler

“These are kids that would be normally viable, if they delivered," he said. "There is no difference really between the day before a baby is delivered or a day after it’s delivered and in the nursery. So that is a real problem.”

Kinzler is not the only Republican to express his disenchantment with Rauner.

U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton), John Shimkus (R-Collinsville), Randy Hultgren (R-Winfield), Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville), Adam Kinzinger (R-Cannahon), Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) and Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) signed a statement urging Rauner not to sign the bill. They also voted for House Resolution 36, known as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would restrict abortions after 20 weeks.

“According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2005 to 2014 the infant mortality rate in the United States dropped 15 percent," they said in their statement. "Much of this progress can be attributed to technological advancements in medicine that gives children born prematurely and with various medical issues a fighting chance. H.R. 36 protects children like Micah Pickering who was born at 22 weeks and is a thriving toddler today."

Kinzler is running against incumbent Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park) in District 46, which covers Carol Stream, Glendale Heights and Villa Park.