Illinois GOP governor candidates reject 'extreme' anti-abortion bill

Candidates say legislation criminalizing abortion as murder goes too far, even as they maintain pro-life positions

Feb. 25, 2026 at 10:21pm

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The four Republican candidates for Illinois governor have all rejected a recently filed state Senate bill that would criminalize abortion as murder and make women who undergo the procedure, as well as those who assist them, eligible for the death penalty. The candidates, who have positioned themselves as pro-life, say the legislation proposed by a downstate Republican senator is too extreme, even as they continue to criticize Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker's efforts to make Illinois a haven for abortion access.

Why it matters

The legislation has almost no chance of passing in the Democratic-controlled state legislature, but it has nonetheless forced the GOP candidates to address the issue of abortion, a subject they have historically fared poorly on with moderate suburban women voters, a key voting bloc in Illinois.

The details

The bill, introduced by state Sen. Neil Anderson, would classify a fertilized egg as a 'person' and criminalize the disposal of eggs used in in vitro fertilization with no exceptions for rape, incest or the health of the woman. It would also allow family members to sue over the death of an unborn child, leaving open the ability of a sexual assault perpetrator to sue his victim if she has an abortion.

  • The legislation was recently filed in the Illinois General Assembly.
  • The March 17 primary election is approaching.

The players

Darren Bailey

A former state senator and the Republican party's unsuccessful 2022 challenger to Gov. Pritzker, Bailey has positioned himself as pro-life but says the legislation goes too far and is asking the sponsor to withdraw it.

Ted Dabrowski

A conservative policy analyst and first-time candidate for office, Dabrowski has frequently touted himself as 'pro-life' but says the legislation is 'extreme too.'

Rick Heidner

A real estate developer and video gambling operator with a controversial history, Heidner says he is pro-life but that there should be exceptions for incest, rape and the woman's health.

James Mendrick

The DuPage County sheriff, Mendrick says 'absolutionism is never right on either side' and that there should be 'wiggle room and leeway for special exceptions.'

Neil Anderson

The downstate Republican state senator who introduced the legislation that would criminalize abortion as murder.

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What they’re saying

“When women and families are facing a crisis, they need understanding, support and real help, not the threat of jail time. Criminalizing women in these situations doesn't solve problems, it deepens hurt and pushes people away from the alternatives and support that could help them.”

— Darren Bailey (Chicago Tribune)

“That's extreme too.”

— Ted Dabrowski (Chicago Tribune)

“There always has to be wiggle room and leeway for special exceptions. What if (giving birth is) going to kill the mother? What if it's rape or incest?”

— James Mendrick (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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