Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said he’s tried for months to find common ground between two impassioned sides of the argument, but ultimately he could not. | G-Jun Yam/AP Photo Illinois governor signs bill expanding public funding for abortion

CHICAGO — Republican Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday signed into law a bill that will expand the public funding of abortion in Illinois, including to Medicaid recipients, a decision that already has conservatives sounding the death knell for his reelection campaign.

The move immediately increases the chances that the first-term governor will get a primary challenge and raises doubts about whether he can motivate a Republican base in a general election.


Rauner said he talked to low-income women across the state who didn't have access to abortion because they couldn't afford it.

"No woman should be forced to make a different decision than another woman would based purely on her income," Rauner said. “I am personally pro-choice, I always have been. I made no qualms about that when I was elected governor. I have not and never will change my views. I personally believe that a woman must have the right to decide what goes on in her own body.”

The law will expand public funding of abortion to include Medicaid recipients and to those who are covered under state health care plans.

The National Institute for Reproductive Health said the move makes Illinois the first state in decades to lift its restriction on Medicaid coverage of abortion.

“Because of this action, women in Illinois will no longer be barred from using Medicaid coverage for abortion,” said NIRH President Andrea Miller. “(NIRH) is proud to have supported this effort in Illinois and to be part of the growing movement to end all bans on insurance coverage of abortion.”

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Planned Parenthood, Personal PAC and the ACLU were among the groups applauding Rauner’s decision on Thursday.

The legislation will reverse the so-called trigger law on the books now that prohibits abortions in Illinois in the hypothetical event the Supreme Court reverses Roe v. Wade.

Rauner said he’s tried for months to find common ground between two impassioned sides of the argument, but ultimately he could not.

Both Rauner and his wife, Diana — a driving force behind his decision — believe politically the move is necessary in a blue state. Since its passage, the issue has placed tremendous pressure on the governor because he is a Republican in a state that voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton.

Democrats knew as much and hammered him for not signing the bill — while at the same time placing a parliamentary hold on the bill so it didn’t arrive on his desk until just this week.

But Rauner had told Republican lawmakers in April that he would veto the measure, calling it “divisive.”

“Bruce Rauner today declared war on the pro-family movement, Illinois taxpayers, and the most basic values of the Republican party.” Paul Caprio, director of Family-Pac said in a statement. “No serious conservative of any type can consider ever voting for Bruce Rauner again.”

Rauner is already considered the most vulnerable incumbent governor in the country. While signing a bill expanding abortion access could help him in a blue state general election, members of his own party said they felt betrayed.

That’s because in April, when Rauner needed his Republican Caucus to stick together during a two-year budget impasse, he had said he would veto HB40.

“He has no hope. If he is the IL GOP nominee, the IL GOP is effectively conceding the Governor’s race to whichever Leftist of privilege the Dems nominate,” conservative political operative and radio host Dan Proft said in a text message. “Apparently he either thinks running as Jan Schakowsky [a liberal Chicago-area congresswoman] is his path to victory or he is not running again.”

Conservative Republican state Rep. David McSweeney also didn’t mince words. “Bruce Rauner is a failed governor who continues to lie to the people of the state of Illinois,” McSweeney said. “He told us on April 14 he would veto it, and obviously he broke his promise, just like he broke his promise to cut taxes.”

Still, no formidable challenger has stepped forward. And Rauner, a multi-millionaire, already has $70 million in his bank account, thanks to his own donations and to a $20 million contribution from billionaire businessman Ken Griffin.

On Thursday, one person applauded the move who has been at odds with Rauner on and off over the past two years — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Though his support is unlikely to help Rauner with his Republican base.

“I want to thank Gov. Rauner for standing up for choice, reproductive rights and equitable access to health care for all,” Emanuel said. “Women’s access to quality, affordable health care should always remain above partisan politics. The governor’s decision to sign HB40 into law was a significant step forward for women’s health."



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