Religiously-mandated restrictions – such as the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs) – tie the hands of health care providers at religiously-affiliated institutions by prohibiting a wide range of services, including contraception and other types of essential reproductive health care. Patients are harmed when religious restrictions require that their health care providers deny them basic health care services or withhold full information from them.
Will you oppose the extension of TIF and other taxpayer-funded resources to expand and advance health care institutions that deny comprehensive reproductive health care services and information on the bases of religiously-mandated restrictions?
DOROTHY BROWN: |
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I believe that TIF funds should be used for projects that provide a public good to a wide circle of people, such as the Transit TIF. The purpose of the district is to generate funds for the renovation of the CTA’s Red Line. The Transit TIF funds a pure public service—public transit. TIF funds are being used to modernize CTA tracks, update viaducts and embankments, creating a bypass for the Brown Line at Belmont Avenue and rehabilitate the Bryn Mawr, Berwyn, Argyle and Lawrence el stops on the CTA. Thousands of CTA riders and the communities surrounding the el stops will benefit from this project.
I would not favor a ban on public funding of religious institutions based on the health care services they choose to provide. Catholic Health Care Services and other religiously-based institutions may take unpopular positions based on the principles of their faith, but that is their right under the first amendment. Also, in many cases, religious institutions are major providers of services to disadvantaged communities on the South and West Side. However, I would require that any hospital or medical institution that opts out of providing reproductive health care services be required to supply information to customers about the availability of such services at other institutions.
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GERY CHICO: |
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I am pro choice without qualification and will under no circumstances support any policy or funding that restricts a woman’s right to choose. |
BILL DALEY:
DID NOT RESPOND.
AMARA ENYIA: |
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The city must move forward on the question of access to contraception. The Enyia administration would make it exceedingly clear that Chicago is a city where women will have access to the appropriate forms of birth control, contraceptives, and abortions as needed, without fear of being judged or rejected. Religious liberties are an important part of a healthy democracy, but should not impede the rights of others to make their own decisions regarding what is right for themselves and their families. |
BOB FIORETTI:
DID NOT RESPOND.
LA SHAWN FORD: |
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| First, I am extraordinarily concerned about the many misuses of TIF resources and the ways they have been used. I would immediately put a moratorium on this mechanism. Second, the City of Chicago and its funding needs a clear separation of church and state, and the elimination of all forms of discrimination. |
JERRY JOYCE:
DID NOT RESPOND.
JOHN KOZLAR: |
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If a particular religion has its beliefs, I will not force an organization to go against said beliefs. |
LORI LIGHTFOOT: |
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| City tax dollars should not go to religious organizations that provide health care services that do notprovide comprehensive reproductive health care services. I opposed the city’s decision to give TIFdollars to Presence Health for a number of reasons, including Presence’s failure to provide reproductive health services. If any future TIF dollars go to healthcare related organizations, then those organizations must make a commitment to provide reproductive services. |
GARRY McCARTHY: |
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I will not allow an affront to anyone needing comprehensive reproductive health care services from any medical institution that seeks to expand by using funds from the very taxpayer/patients whose dollars are essentially used to discriminate against them. |
SUSANA MENDOZA: |
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While I certainly support expanding healthcare access throughout the city, we cannot do it at the expense of women’s reproductive rights. I will not use taxpayer dollars to subsidize healthcare that includes religious restrictions on basic healthcare services like contraception. |
TONI PRECKWINKLE: |
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| It is essential that individuals have access to safe, comprehensive reproductive healthcare, regardless of their religious identities. Patients should always be confident that their healthcare providers are giving them full information on their health and decisions and should not be discriminated or restricted on the basis of religion. I will oppose any TIFs or taxpayer-funded resources that advance healthcare institutions with histories of denying reproductive health or information based on religious restrictions. |
NEAL SALES-GRIFFIN:
DID NOT RESPOND.
| PAUL VALLAS: |
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In principle, I am opposed to providing subsidies to organizations that discriminate in any way, and that includes religious organizations. It all depends on the conditions. If there is a religious healthcare provider that is doing extraordinary work in the community, especially with the low-income providers, but for specific religious reasons they have some reservations or are reluctant to provide certain services, I will give it some thought and weigh the benefits to determine if there needs to be exceptions. However, I would oppose providing subsidies or support to groups that deliberately discriminate. |
WILLIE WILSON:
DID NOT RESPOND.
