SPRINGFIELD – On the anniversary of the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, State Senator Ann Gillespie is urging Illinois women to continue fighting to protect their health care from government intrusion.

“Women’s rights – specifically the right to make our own health care decisions – are under assault every day,” said Gillespie, an Arlington Heights Democrat. “Although Illinois has taken dramatic steps to protect women’s reproductive decisions, it is clear to me that we can never stand down in our fight for fairness and autonomy.”

Gillespie praised Gov. JB Pritzker for issuing an executive order today enforcing House Bill 40, which protects a woman’s right to choose in Illinois.

The 2017 law removes the “trigger” provision from a 1975 Illinois law that would reinstate previous state policy banning abortion in the event that Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Additionally the law allows abortion coverage for individuals on Medicaid or covered by State Employee Health Insurance plans.

Prtizker’s order directs the Department of Central Management Services to ensure all state employee health benefit plans include that coverage by July 1, 2019.

“This matter was settled by the highest court in the nation. Yet here we are, nearly 50 years later, rehashing whether women should have control over their own health care,” Gillespie said. “It’s troubling to me, and I urge women and men everywhere to continue fighting for rights that shouldn’t even be up for debate.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement on statewide gun dealer licensing being signed into law this morning:

“We have lost too many children in this state to senseless gun violence. This law is not the solution to the problem, but it is a step in the right direction.

"People in the Northwest Suburbs are tired of gun violence and they want change. They welcome more oversight of gun purchases, and it is commendable that the state and responsible firearms dealers will be working together to achieve that.”

SPRINGFIELD – Barring state agencies from asking prospective employees about their salary histories is a good move by Illinois’ new governor on his first day in office, State Senator Ann Gillespie said today.

“Gov. Pritzker seems to be off to a good start. Moving swiftly to eliminate gender bias in the state’s hiring process is long overdue,” Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) said, reacting to the governor signing a series of executive orders and legislation this afternoon.

“I am eager to see how he will work with lawmakers to establish a much-needed $15 livable minimum wage in Illinois. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly and with the governor to push this important issue forward.”

SPRINGFIELD – Increased wages for working families, access to affordable health care, property tax relief for suburban residents and robust investment in education are priorities for State Senator Ann Gillespie, who was sworn in today for her first term in the Illinois Senate.

“I am thrilled to join the Senate and I’m eager to get to work on behalf of residents of the northwest suburbs,” said Gillespie, a Democrat from Arlington Heights.

“There is a great deal of work to be done in Springfield to improve the state’s reputation and business climate, as well as to increase the living wage and address gun violence. I am prepared to meet these challenges head on.”

Gillespie, 59, a retired health care industry executive, sought a seat in the Senate after attending the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., in 2017 and getting involved in grassroots organizing.

She represents the 27th Senate District, which includes a portion of the northwest suburbs, including the communities of Arlington Heights, Barrington, Des Plaines, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights and Rolling Meadows.