Kendall County Times

Jerry Evans, an Illinois congressional candidate, was hopeful following news of a leaked draft decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that could overturn the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade.

"Our Constitution was written to protect our rights and provide equal opportunity for all," Evans said on Facebook. "Abortion, by design, eliminates both. The idea this same Constitution protects the right to an abortion was always flagrantly wrong, and Roe v. Wade a terrible injustice. This is a historic moment in our fight to protect the unborn. I strongly oppose abortion and will always fight to protect the lives of unborn children in Illinois and across the nation."

In an unprecedented leak, Politico obtained a draft of the Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case seeking to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to CNBC. Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973; it guaranteed a woman's right to obtain an abortion. 

The official ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson is expected in June. 

"Court employees have an exemplary and important tradition of respecting the confidentiality of the judicial process and upholding the trust of the court," John Roberts, chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, said of the leak, as reported by CNBC. "This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the court and the community of public servants who work here."

Responding to the leaked draft, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-Ill.) said on Twitter, "Hell no! In Illinois, we trust women. We cannot let their most profound and personal rights be violated."  

Abortion in Illinois will not be illegal or restricted if Roe v. Wade is overturned, the Chicago Tribune reported. Although some states, such as Idaho and Utah, have trigger laws that would immediately ban abortion if Roe is overturned, Illinois does not. 

Illinois has some of the laxest abortion laws in the country, according to the Chicago Tribune. Thousands of women from different states come to Illinois for abortions every year. More than 36,000 Illinois women had abortions in 2020, while almost 10,000 out-of-state women traveled to Illinois for abortions.   

Evans is running to represent Illinois' 11th Congressional District, according to Ballotpedia. He will face off against several GOP challengers, including Mark Carroll and Catalina Lauf, in the June 28 primary election. The winner will face off against incumbent Congressman Bill Foster (D) in the Nov. 8 general election.  

Foster re-tweeted Pritzker's "Hell no" statement and added, "Illinois stands with women."          

Foster then retweeted Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton's Twitter post, which said, "Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is healthcare. #RoeVWade"