Illinois Valley Times

State Sen. Win Stoller (R-Peoria) argues Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signing of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act represents the latest volley in his ongoing war on Illinois parents.

“By signing this bill, the Governor has made it clear to the parents who live across our state that he believes that they have no right to be involved or even know about their daughter’s healthcare,” Stoller said in a statement soon after Pritzker formally signed off on the legislation. “Today the Governor officially turned his back on the rights of Illinois parents by signing the repeal of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act.”

Pritzker repealed the law that required a parent or guardian be notified before a minor receives an abortion. The General Assembly passed the Parental Notice of Abortion Act in 1995, but it didn’t go into effect for nearly two decades as legal challenges mounted. That law is repealed as of June 1, 2022.

Pritzker later deemed the move “essential” for protecting the “most vulnerable pregnant minors who were punished by this law.”

Along with overturning the state’s Parental Notice of Abortion Act, the legislation signed by the governor also creates an advisory group for youth health and safety issues which will identify laws and policies that affect parenting and pregnant girls under 18.

Stoller argues no matter how you look at it, taking parents completely out of the equation serves no useful purpose.

“Every parent has a fundamental responsibility to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of their children,” he said. “It is a parent’s duty to know about important healthcare decisions and procedures that their children make, so that they can care and support them.”