Pritzker Slams Texas Abortion Decision, Says 'Vote Democrat'

CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker shamed legislators involved in the new abortion law in Texas, saying he was "proud" of Illinois for its stance on reproductive health.

Texas SB 8 bars people from receiving an abortion six weeks after conception and includes new caveats that allow private citizens to enforce the law for a monetary award.

"First, I would say, 'Shame on those Texas lawmakers' for taking away not just women's rights but women's health," Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference Thursday. "You know, banning abortion does not keep women safe. And I am very concerned and focused on making sure that here in Illinois that we are a beacon of hope for women who need reproductive health."

Pritzker said women in Missouri often come to Illinois to seek reproductive care since the state passed the Reproductive Health Act, which removed multiple barriers to abortion, including spousal consent, waiting periods and criminal penalties for physicians who perform abortions.

The Texas law would be the one of the most restrictive abortion law in the United States since the Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion for all residents in 1973. Abortion rights activists anticipate the law could increase the number of women seeking to self-induce abortions using pills or other methods.

"Abortion rights are on the ballot in 2022 and Republicans will do everything in their power to strip them away. That's why it's so critical to elect Democrats up and down the ballot across Illinois," Pritzker said in a statement from his campaign team.

At least 12 other states have enacted bans on abortion early in pregnancy, but all have been blocked from going into effect.