Lake County Gazette

Kenny Idstein wants to know what kind of deal Gov. Bruce Rauner had in mind before enacting abortion expansion bill HB 40 on Thursday.

“I saw where the governor made comments that he was hoping there would be more compromise,” Idstein, who is hoping to unseat Sam Yingling (D-Round Lake Beach) in the 62nd District, told the Lake County Gazette. “I’m really curious about what he meant by that. I need to find out more about why he did what he did. What compromise did he not get?”

The measure provides for Illinois residents on Medicaid and state workers to receive free abortions for any reason until the last day of their pregnancy.

Kenny Idstein

Rauner became the first governor to sign off on taxpayer funding of abortions. Illinois law had long stipulated that Medicaid recipients were eligible for abortions only in cases of rape, incest, and when the health and life of the mother was at risk.

“I don’t agree with public funding of abortions, and I’m surprised to see the governor sign off on this after he indicated he wouldn’t,” Idstein said. “Taxpayers in this state are already swamped enough.”

Illinois Right to Life estimates that the law will cost taxpayers approximately $1.8 million at a time when the state still remains saddled with more than $14 billion in unpaid debt.

As a candidate in 2014, Rauner vowed that he would "have no social agenda" if elected but also has argued that he has always supported abortion rights.

 “I believe that no woman should be forced to make a different decision than another woman would make purely based on her income," he told the Chicago Tribune. "I believe that a woman living with limited financial means should not be put in the position where she has to choose something different than a woman of higher income would be able to choose."

A career mortgage professional, Idstein said he decided to enter the race after state lawmakers enacted a $36.1 billion state budget, which he estimates will mean $443 million in added state income tax payments for Lake County residents. 

The 62nd District also includes parts of Round Lake, Round Lake Beach and Grayslake.