South Cook News

Illinois House Bill 2495, otherwise known as the Reproductive Health Act, which would allow unrestricted access to abortions, is being hotly debated throughout the state. 

According to an op-ed article posted on WayneTownshipRepublicans.com, a pro-life group went to discuss the bill with Rep. Diane Pappas (D-Itasca) of the 45th Legislative District and was surprised, even outraged, by the lawmaker's following comments.

"You know ladies, with technology the way it is, we wouldn't have an abortion problem if we applied a plan," Pappas told the women, according to the op-ed submitted by one of the group's members in attendance at the meeting. "Now, I've been told it's a bit radical, but if we allowed men to be castrated, took the sperm to the bank, collected tax dollars on it for storage, then when it's time, to have the man decide he's ready to begin a family . . . well, then the problem is solved."

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca

The op-ed further stated that Pappas claimed that HB2495 was dead and would not be under review until 2020, despite the fact that as of March 29 the bill was alive and well in the Rules Committee and Planned Parenthood was seeking passage of the legislation.

Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago heights) of the 80th District was not aware of his Democratic colleague's remarks when reached for comment by the South Cook News.

"I have not heard Rep. Pappas make this statement nor have I seen a reported quote from her taking this position,” DeLuca said. “I'm not aware of this concept being discussed in any forum.”

DeLuca added that since the statement was taken from an op-ed piece, he would not assume that it had come from Pappas herself until further verification.