East Central Reporter

In a May 24 Facebook post, Sen. Jason Plummer discussed efforts of Democrats to limit Illinois residents' rights.

“And it's time that you start showing some respect to the people of Illinois,” he wrote on Facebook. “Quit limiting their rights, quit taking their rights away, and frankly, when you take their rights away, at least give them the decency and the respect to allow their concerns about their rights being taken away be heard in a local courthouse.” Thank you to @Bishop On Air and The Center Square for covering this important issue. This is a slap in the face to all Illinoisans and, frankly, likely unconstitutional. I hope to see this legislation challenged in courts...and not in Sangamon County or Cook County, either!”

Vote Smart noted Plummer has a strong voting record for voting against abortion access.

Plummer joined the Illinois Senate in 2019. He was elected to represent the people of the 54th Senate District. Outside his legislative work, Plummer is the vice president of R.P. Lumber and R.P. Home and Harvest, family owned and operated businesses with over 100 locations throughout Illinois and six other states.        

Ballotpedia noted he ran uncontested during the general election in 2022.

In his Facebook post, Plummer shared an article from The Center Square focusing on Democrats' efforts to limit citizens' ability to challenge state laws. The focus is on a bill from Sen. Don Harmon that would make Illinois residents file lawsuits in specific counties. About the bill, Harmon said: "It’s where the cause of action is against the state itself, or one of our officers, seeking declaratory or injunctive relief against a state statute on the basis that it violates the constitution,” Harmon, D-Oak Park, said Friday before passing the bill. "

Many Illinoisans feel that abortion accessibility is a right to healthcare. Fox 32 reported an abortion poll by Ogden & Fry found the majority of Illinoisans it polled supported abortion access in certain situations.

An amendment to House Bill 3062 would require citizens to file lawsuits against the "State, or any of its officers, employees, or agents acting in an official capacity on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act seeking declaratory or injunctive relief against any State statute, rule, or executive order based on an alleged violation of the Constitution of the State of Illinois or the Constitution of the United States, venue in that action is proper only in the County of Sangamon and the County of Cook."

Regardless of the legality of abortions, people will get unsafe abortions. Medecins Sans Frontieres wrote that approximately 22 thousand people die yearly after unsafe abortions.

The bill was filed by Rep. Kevin John Olickal on Feb. 16, 2023, and arrived in the Senate on March 23. In the Senate, the bill had multiple amendments filed and discussion of those amendments, and moved back to the House of Representatives on May 19. It passed both houses on May 25, 2023.

“Induced abortion is an essential component of women’s health care,” The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists wrote on its website. “Like all medical matters, decisions regarding abortion should be made by patients in consultation with their health care providers and without undue interference by outside parties. Like all patients, women obtaining abortion are entitled to privacy, dignity, respect, and support.”

In his Facebook post, Plummer reacted more to the bill. He said: "Thank you to @Bishop On Air and The Center Square for covering this important issue. This is a slap in the face to all Illinoisans and, frankly, likely unconstitutional. I hope to see this legislation challenged in courts...and not in Sangamon County or Cook County, either!"