The outcome of a trial contesting state-funded abortions in Illinois is up for grabs.

The law in question expands use of tax dollars for abortions for economically disadvantaged women and state employees but attorney Peter Breen, special counsel for the Thomas More Society, argues it violates the Illinois Constitution, which calls for a balanced budget.

The government must estimate revenues on a bill and not spend above that estimate but the allegation is the Illinois General Assembly didn't do that.

The state argues the constitutional requirement is optional and the courts have no place in enforcing it.

"But the legal arguments really go toward fiscal sanity for the state of Illinois, which folks across the country know that Illinois is America's fiscal basket case," says the Thomas More attorney. "For the taxpayers of Illinois this case is very important. For people of faith, and people of life, it's very important because we can stop this funding for elective abortions here."

Taxpayers would be financing 20,000 to 30,000 more abortions each year.

The case was heard by an appeals court panel in Springfield and Breen says the justices appeared to be engaged during arguments.

"They're very familiar with cases that involve state constitutional interpretation," he says, "but they did not tip their hand one way or the other."

Breen is expecting a ruling from the court as early as this fall