State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich), is warning constituents and all Illinoisans about the anticipated issues to be taken up this week in the Veto Session in the General Assembly—namely the Parental Notice of Abortion Act (PNA) and the Health Care Right of Conscience Act.
“Repealing the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995 would take away parental rights about the health and well-being of their own children,” said Rep. Adam Niemerg. “They are removing parents from being a part of a discussion to a very serious, medical procedure performed on their daughters that will have a lifetime of effects on them. Without parental consent, kids under 18 can’t go on a field trip, participate in school sports, or even take Tylenol at the school nurse’s office for a headache.”
Rep. Niemerg pointed out that the PNA law requires a parent or guardian to be notified when a minor girl seeks an abortion. Repealing this law makes no common sense when minors can’t even see an R-rated movie, get a driver’s license or get a tattoo without parental consent.
“Ultimately, this issue comes down to one central and critical issue – protecting children,” added Rep. Niemerg. “Protecting children from trauma, from trafficking and exploitation is the goal and it is our responsibility as legislators to pass laws that protect our most vulnerable children, not put them at greater risk.”
Concerned parents and others plan to rally at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 26 at the State Capitol in Springfield (between the Capitol and the Stratton Building) to show their support for parental rights. More than 50 clergy from the Pastors Coalition of Greater Chicago and Faith Leaders from across Illinois will hold a press conference inside the Capitol at 2:00 p.m. in the Blue Room.
Another critical issue expected to be on the agenda this week is the changing of the 1998 Health Care Right of Conscience Act. The act bans discrimination by public or private institutions because of that person’s conscientious refusal to receive or participate in any way in any particular form of healthcare services contrary to his or her conscience.
“This law assists in protecting people from overreaching mandates by the Governor, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the State Board of Education (ISBE) trying to impose their will on individuals in violation of their Constitutional rights,” continued Rep. Niemerg. “I will continue to fight for the right of every Illinoisan to refuse to participate in health care that is against their convictions like the forced COVID-19 vaccinations and testing which is specifically included in the law’s definition of health care.”