Dems turn up heat on Rauner with bill to expand taxpayer-funded abortions

House Democrats on Tuesday approved a controversial bill that would expand the availability of taxpayer-funded abortions in Illinois, putting Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in the politically difficult spot of following through on his pledge to veto it.

The 62-55 vote came amid the fanfare of a women's march and rally at the Capitol that had all the markings of the annual Democrat Day celebration at the State Fair, complete with the requisite sign-waving and Republican-bashing by legislative leaders and candidates seeking to defeat Rauner in next year's election.

Hundreds gathered in front of the Capitol, many wearing pink or sporting the pink hats made famous during the national women's marches in January. Protesters wrote "Gov, do your job" on the street facing Rauner's office, and marchers waved colorful signs saying "Her body, her choice" and "If uteri shot bullets, they wouldn't get regulated!"

Inside the House, lawmakers spent more than two hours debating the measure, which would allow women to use Medicaid coverage and state employee health insurance for abortions. Democrats said the plan also would help ensure abortion remains legal in Illinois if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court by removing a so-called "trigger provision" in current law.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-abortion-law-rauner-democrats-met-0426-20170425-story.html