Support women! Kill babies!

After a lengthy and emotional debate, the Illinois House passed a controversial abortion rights bill Tuesday that opponents characterized as extreme but supporters say is necessary to protect women as several states enact more restrictive laws.

The bill would repeal the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975 and its provisions that called for spousal consent, waiting periods, criminal penalties for physicians who perform abortions and other restrictions on facilities where abortions are performed. The bill would establish “the fundamental right” of a pregnant woman to have an abortion and states that “a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights.”

Pritzker

Today, Illinois says we are better than this war on women,” Chicago Democrat Rep. Kelly Cassidy said just before the 65-40 vote. “Illinois says we trust women. Please join me in saying that loud and clear: ‘We trust women.’ ”

The bill, called the Reproductive Health Act, would also repeal the state’s partial birth abortion ban, which affects later-stage pregnancies. Partial-birth abortions are not allowed under federal law, unless it’s used as a means to save the mother’s life when it’s in jeopardy.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where it likely faces an easier path to passage than in the House. Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged the Senate to “take swift action” and said he’s eager to sign the act into law.