SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, March 30, 2001 (RFM NEWS)--On Friday, the Illinois

Senate voted to pass a package of bills, titled "The Born-Alive Infants

Protection Act," sponsored by State Senator Patrick O'Malley (R-18).

Senate Bills 1093, 1094 and 1095 provide medical alternatives to cases in

Illinois when aborted infants have been born alive and not provided any type

of medical assessments and/or care.

Senate Bill 1093 would require a separate physician, who is not involved in

an abortion, to be on hand in the event an abortion might result in a live

birth, for that doctor to make an independent evaluation of the viability of

the infant and to provide medical care if required.

Senate Bill 1094 creates a cause of action in the event an induced labor

abortion results in a live birth and the doctor or health care provider harms

or neglects the infant or fails to provide proper medical care to the child

after its birth.

Senate Bill 1095 defines a "born-alive infant" to include every infant member

of the homo sapiens species who is born alive at any stage of his/her

development.

The lone Republican to vote against the legislative package was Kathleen

Parker of Northbrook.

Senate Democrat Barack Obama from Chicago's 13th District claimed the

constitutionality of such legislation might eventually be challenged,

convincing a number of other Democrats to either vote present or vote against

the three bills.

A similar bill was overwhelmingly passed by the U.S. House of

Representatives, with only 15 dissenters, including Rep. Jesse Jackson of

Chicago.

Illinois Senate Minority Leader Emil Jones could not be reached for comment

concerning the number of Democrats that voted against the legislation which

has vast public support.

O'Malley told RFM NEWS, "My legislation asks that a live child born as a

result of an abortion be fully recognized as a human person and afforded

equal protection under the law."

The trio of bills now move to the full Illinois House of Representatives for

further consideration.