Sangamon Sun

State Sen. Sally Turner (R-Lincoln) worries about what could happen if Democrats in Springfield succeed in repealing the Parental Notice of Abortion Act (PNA).

“By repealing this act we're going to make it easier for sexual predators and sex traffickers to abuse our children,” Turner said at an Oct. 19 press conference on the issue. “Sex trafficking experts have already noted that traffickers seek out states with no parental involvement. They know that if their victim is a minor and they want to force them into an abortion they have to prove a parent was informed and if we vote to repeal this law we will help make the daughters of our state a target for them.”

Turner challenges anyone to explain to her how repealing a law that now requires that a parent or guardian be notified at least 48 hours in advance before their minor daughter can undergo an abortion makes the climate safer for kids.

“The facility just merely has to tell the parent or the guardian that they're going to get one,” she said. “Our state government has a history of telling minors and even young adults that they aren't prepared to make important decisions, yet we're trying to pass this legislation that makes it possible for a minor to make a very important health decision that could have both physical and mental consequences while parents are left in the dark.”

Turner dismisses arguments from supporters who say the legislation is needed in light of the recently passed Texas law that bans most abortions after cardiac activity is detected, which typically comes at about six weeks following conception.

“Without notification, there will be children in our state that will needlessly continue to suffer because no one knows what's happening,” she said. “On behalf of parents in Illinois, I beg the majority party not to repeal the parental notice of abortion act.”