First-Ever Resolution Would Make This County an Abortion-Free “Sanctuary for the Unborn”

State   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Jun 15, 2018   |   12:56PM   |   Springfied, IL

The leaders of a rural Illinois county are considering becoming a “sanctuary for the unborn.”

Much in the same way several large, liberal cities have declared themselves “sanctuaries” for illegal immigrants by not enforcing federal law, Effingham County leaders hope their county will be a place where unborn babies are protected from abortion.

The Effingham Daily News reports the county committee of the whole voted 8-1 Monday to consider the “Sanctuary for the Life of Unborn Human Beings” resolution. The board will decide whether to adopt the measure at its June 18 meeting.

“… abortion in the United States has become a means of birth control in which the unborn are killed for the convenience of the parent(s),” the resolution reads.

The resolution instructs the county to oppose abortions except when necessary to save the mother’s life, according to the report. It also recognizes that a unique human life comes into being at the moment of conception, and “that there are numerous effective, inexpensive forms of birth control available” that do not involving taking a human life.

Here’s more from the local news:

[Chairman Jim Niemann, who proposed the resolution,] said he has received ample support from residents since he introduced the resolution. Though, he has been asked why the board is involved.

“If not us, who, and if not now, when?” Niemann said.

… The act was largely symbolic. It remains unclear if the county can legally direct its employees to disobey state or federal law. Nevertheless, several other Illinois counties have enacted similar sanctuary resolutions, and there has been interest from other states.

Effingham County does not have any abortion facilities. The county used to have a Planned Parenthood, but it did not abort unborn babies on site, the report states. It would refer women to other facilities for abortions.

The county officials’ move comes in stark opposition to the Illinois legislature. In 2017, state lawmakers passed radical pro-abortion law that makes elective abortions legal up to birth legal and establish the Land of Lincoln as a “safe haven” for women seeking abortions. The law also forces taxpayers to pay for abortions.

Pro-life advocates estimate about 12,000 unborn babies will be aborted every year and their deaths paid for by Illinois taxpayers under the new law.

According to the Pro-Life Action League, the law also would keep abortion legal in the event that Roe v. Wade is overturned. The law makes Illinois one of the most pro-abortion states in America.