Most House Democrats are relatively silent regarding Pappas castration remarks

SPRINGFIELD (Heartland Newsfeed) — Democrats in the Illinois House have been relatively silent following recent remarks made towards constituents by a freshman colleague.

The remarks, allegedly made by District 45 Rep. Diane Pappas (D-Itasca), have been mostly met with silence from her colleagues — remarks to a pro-life group of concerned citizens that stated that castration of men could be a solution to abortion in response to concerns about House Bill 2495, otherwise known as the Reproductive Health Act.

Critics of the legislation believe it would repeal and replace the state’s current abortion law, making it a fundamental right. The change could make for many legal battles in the future, as it attempts to overturn the law of the land set forth in precedent by the U.S. Supreme Court via Roe v. Wade (1973).

Three co-sponsors of the bill — Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago), Jaime Andrade Jr. (D-Chicago) and Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) are among many co-sponsors of the bill who have not spoken up in light of Pappas’ remarks.

However, a Peoria-area colleague stated that the remarks are out of character for a freshman legislator and that “it just doesn’t sound like her.”

Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Spring Valley) cited in a Peoria Standard interview noting her surprise to hear such remarks attributed to Pappas.

“She always is kind and I have never heard her speak ill of anything or anyone. With that said, I obviously think these comments, if true, are over the line,” Gordon-Booth said.

Gordon-Booth stated there are more civilized ways to reduce abortion numbers.

“Castrations are not something that we talk about in civil society,” she said. “There are reproductive health professionals that are all over the spectrum and I plan to listen to those that devote their time and energy solely to this space and listen for understanding from them as to current issues, concerns, challenges, and go from there.”

Gordon-Booth noted that the dynamics of the three-month-old bill are still unclear and doesn’t know the certainty of its passage.

Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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