Abortion concerns divide McLean County Board members

Logan Smith, Benjamin Webb, and Elizabeth Johnston were the three Democrats who joined Republicans in supporting the measure. (Photo courtesy: Heart of Illinois ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Abortion rights became an issue at Thursday night’s McLean County Board meeting as the board approved a lease agreement to rent space at a pregnancy center that discourages abortions.

The board voted 14-6 in favor of the one-year lease in which the government-run Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) will rent space at Hope Pregnancy Center on Main Street in Pontiac at an annual cost $5,400.

The CAC aids young abuse victims in McLean, Livingston, and DeWitt Counties, and was looking for space to run a satellite office.

The six who opposed to the lease are all Democrats. Sharon Chung raised the initial objection saying that payment of tax dollars implies support for Hope’s mission.

“I as fervent supporter of reproductive rights and comprehensive sexual education, I can not in good conscience support this lease and the payment to an organization that while at face value looks like they support these things, they do anything but that,” said Chung.

On Hope’s website, the organization said it “does not perform or refer for abortions, but we can provide answers to many of your questions through evidence based education.”

Republican George Wendt voted with the majority.

“We’re getting into an area that is really very divisive to start down this road because there can be all kinds of minor little things that philosophically you disagree with an organization,” Wendt said.

Logan Smith, Benjamin Webb, and Elizabeth Johnston were the three Democrats who joined Republicans in supporting the measure.

Johnston said her priority was to provide CAC services at the Pontiac site.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…