Cardinal Francis George of Chicago and the Catholic Conference descended upon the Springfield Capitol to meet with Gov. Quinn and other lawmakers. The Catholic legislative agenda includes ultrasounds shown to mothers before an abortion.
See related article: Illinois Abortion Safety Law Moves in House
UPDATE 5/10/11: Controlled by liberals, Illinois pro-life legislation has no chance
-- From "Catholic group backs Ill. ultrasound bill" by The Associated Press 4/6/11
The Catholic Conference of Illinois says doctors already perform ultrasounds and sharing them with pregnant mothers would be a courtesy.
The group would like to require women to view ultrasounds when considering abortion, but it says that wouldn't pass in Illinois.
Opponents say the legislation would create an unnecessary hour of waiting time that is meant to be used to change a woman's mind about the abortion.
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From "Catholic leaders lobby for anti-abortion measure, textbook funding" by Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News 4/6/11
Catholic leaders from across Illinois on Wednesday came to the Capitol to weigh in on anti-abortion legislation that was approved by a House committee this week.
The Catholic Conference of Illinois is the public policy voice of the Catholic Church, according to its website, and is governed mostly by all of the bishops in the six dioceses across the state.
The ultrasound measure has become a contested issue in Springfield. Brigid Leahy of Planned Parenthood Illinois said this is just one of a number of proposals on women's reproductive rights that are surfacing this year. She takes exception to the notion that the proposal would protect life.
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From "Proposal would require ultrasound offers before abortions" by Andy Brownfield, GateHouse News Service 4/6/11
House Bill 786 would require abortion providers to give women seeking abortions the opportunity to view an active ultrasound before the procedure is performed. The measure also requires facilities to report how many women choose to view the ultrasound.
Another proposal, House Bill 1919, would have done the same thing, but an opponent in the Senate took over sponsorship with the intent of killing the plan, said House sponsor Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg.
Abortion providers currently use ultrasounds in their practice, but the measure would require they offer to show the results to each patient. The proposal was approved by the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee on Tuesday.
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