Metro East Sun

Republican candidate Dwight Kay argues that using taxpayer money to pay for abortions is borderline criminal.

“Taking money to cover a medical procedure that takes a life is like theft to those who don’t believe in that,” Kay told the Metro East Sun.

Kay’s comments come after hearing that taxpayer-funded abortions are up nearly four times over the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2017.

“On top of that, in the Bible Proverbs tells us that you’re supposed to protect the innocent,” Kay said. “This is anything but that. It sickens my stomach that the state would be using taxpayer money for something like this, especially at a time when the state is so broke.”

Kay is running against incumbent Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) in Illinois’ 112th District.

Illinois Department of Health and Human Services records show that taxpayer-funded abortions jumped from 84 to 314 from January to June, according to the Illinois News Network.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 40 into law in late 2017, making Illinois the first state to legislate taxpayer funding of abortions. The new law covers Medicaid recipients and state employees.

“To have your money spent in this way when you have no say in the matter is a complete abomination,” Kay said, adding that he sees just one course of action in terms of putting the state’s moral compass back on track.  

“We have to put new people in office,” he said. “Lawmakers that, quite frankly, get the idea that an unborn baby is a human being. We need people in Springfield that have a little more morality than what I’m seeing.”

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) is challenging HB 40 in the courts.