Carbondale Reporter

Illinois state Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) recently announced his support for the Supreme Court's decision on abortion.

The Supreme Court announced a 6-3 decision overturning the protections of Roe v. Wade on June 24, as reported by POLITICO and other news outlets. The Court's majority opinion, penned by Justice Samuel Alito, followed closely the leaked draft version published in May. In the opinion, the Court’s conservative majority went beyond the Mississippi case being heard, overturning both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, long-standing precedents in the country.

"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," Alito wrote in the Court’s opinion statement. "The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision. This Court cannot bring about the permanent resolution of a rancorous national controversy simply by dictating a settlement and telling the people to move on."

Severin released a statement commending the Supreme Court's ruling but added that much work is still needed in the state of Illinois. 

"I am personally pro-life and have a record of supporting and sponsoring legislation that seeks to protect the unborn," Severin said in a press release. "I am heartened by today’s decision and believe this is the right path forward for protecting the sanctity of life.

"Unfortunately in Illinois, not much will change at this time despite my best efforts and the efforts of my pro-life colleagues. Illinois is led by Democratic politicians that favor zero restrictions on abortions, which makes their governing philosophy out of step with the average person. As Governor Pritzker calls legislators back to Springfield for a special session, my constituents should know that I will stand strong against further attempts to expand taxpayer-funded abortion on demand. I will maintain my 100% pro-life voting record."

The Associated Press reported that Chief Justice John Roberts said he would prefer "a more 'measured course,' simply upholding a Mississippi ban on abortions after 15 weeks. He said overturning Roe was an unnecessary and 'serious jolt' to the legal system. But the chief justice was unable to attract any support from his colleagues on the right, including the three justices nominated by former President Donald Trump. Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett helped form the majority to overrule Roe and fulfill a prophecy from then-candidate Trump that his high court picks would vote just that way."