Will County Gazette

Democratic state Rep. John Connor (D-Lockport), one of roughly 40 co-sponsors of the Reproductive Health Act bill, has yet to publicly comment on Rep, Diane Pappas’ alleged assertion that castration could be a viable solution to the issue of abortion.

Repeated calls to the first-term lawmaker’s office for comment by the Will County Gazette went unanswered.

Connor’s silence has not done much to quell the controversy involving Pappas, who reportedly made her comments during a recent meeting at her Bloomingdale office attended by Wayne Township Republican trustee Jackie Hayden where abortion and House Bill 2495 were among the central topics. Critics charge that HB 2495 would make Illinois home to the most accessible abortion laws in the country, stripping away such current restrictions as late-term abortions and mandating that all private health insurers cover the abortion procedures without exceptions.

Illinois State House Rep. Diane Pappas (D-Itasca) | facebook.com/DianeForStateRep

According to Hayden, Pappas seems willing to go even further.

“You know, ladies, with technology the way it is, we wouldn't have an abortion problem if we applied a plan,” Hayden recounted Pappas as saying in a blog that was published on the Wayne County Republican Organization website. "Now, I've been told it's a bit radical, but if we allowed men to be castrated, took the sperm to the bank, collected tax dollars on it for storage, then when it's time, to have the man decide he's ready to begin a family ... well, then the problem is solved."

The first-year lawmaker from Itasca is reported to have made similar comments during a later meeting with members from the Holy Ghost Parish. Pappas’ 45th District covers all or parts of Bartlett, Hanover Park, West Chicago, Wayne, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Roselle, Wood Dale, Medinah and Addison.

HB 2495 recently advanced to a House Informed Subcommittee, where Connor remains a co-sponsor.