Dupage Policy Journal

Activist Jeanne Ives issued a statement excoriating Gov. J.B. Pritzker after he signed a bill repealing the 1995 Parental Notice of Abortion Act.

Ives, a former state representative who runs the advocacy group Breakthrough Ideas, is among the conservative critics who argue the change will embolden sex traffickers and other abusers.

“As Christians get ready to celebrate the birth of Christ, Governor Pritzker signed the bill that repeals parental notification of abortion. In this season when families celebrate hope and goodwill, he sows division between parents and children and delivers gifts of profits to abortionists and sex traffickers. If you didn't think Illinois could become more morally bankrupt, Governor Pritzker and his Democrat party just sank our state even lower. The message is clear from the Democrat Party: Parents don't matter,” Ives said in a statement.

Now that the act has been repealed, parents or guardians of a minor undergoing an abortion will not be required to receive notice.

The move comes in the wake of the historic U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing civil penalties against abortion providers that appears to allow states to ban the practice.

According the The Wall Street Journal, as states roll back abortion rights, Illinois Planned Parenthood has been building new clinics at the state’s borders with GOP-led states.

Illinois abortion providers are preparing for a five-fold increase in the number of abortions from out-of-state patients.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield has also weighed in on the repeal.

“[T]he government has provided evil the cover of darkness in which it thrives. The devil desires darkness and despises the light," Paprocki said in a news release. "It is striking how much this legislation does to provide cover, secrecy, and darkness over evil deeds.”

A press release from the governor commended the work of the bill's proponents.  

“With reproductive rights under attack across the nation, Illinois is once again establishing itself as a leader in ensuring access to healthcare services,” Pritzker said in a press release. “This repeal was essential, because it was the most vulnerable pregnant minors who were punished by this law: victims of rape and physical abuse in unsafe homes. I thank Representative Anna Moeller, Senator Elgie Sims and the lawmakers and advocates who have fiercely fought to repeal this law and keep vulnerable young people safe. I’m proud that Illinois continues to be a national leader in protecting reproductive rights.”