Illinois Rep. says bill too “divisive,” brought “threats” against his family.
QUICK FACTS:
- Illinois Democratic representative Jonathon Carroll filed HB 4259—a bill that would have forced unvaccinated people to pay for their medical treatment even if they had health insurance has pulled the legislation—on Monday, but later pulled it citing the division it created and “threats” he received, Summit News reports.
- The bill had outlined how those who had chosen not to take the non-FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccine would be forced to cover their own medical expenses if they caught the virus and subsequently required hospital treatment, even if they were fully covered by health insurance.
- “Due to the unintended divisive nature of HB 4259, I’ve decided not to pursue this legislation,” Rep. Carroll said. “Based on feedback and further reflection, we need to heal as a country and work together on common-sense solutions to put the pandemic behind us.”
- “Violent threats made against me, my family and my staff are reprehensible,” Carroll said. “I hope we can return to a more positive discourse on public health, especially when it comes to this pandemic that has tired us all.”
- Carroll said he and his staff received violent threats after filing the legislation, which wouldn’t have come into effect until January 2023, Newsweek notes.
- “They threatened my wife, children and synagogue along with me. My home address and other personal info was also shared,” Carroll told Newsweek.
NEWSWEEK REPORTS:
Republican Rep. Adam Niemerg was against the measures. He introduced his own legislation that he says would protect unvaccinated Illinoisans from being discriminated against for refusing the vaccine.
“It gives folks freedom to make the decision for themselves,” he said. “The freedom to talk to their doctors and have the conversation on whether they want to or don’t want to take the COVID vaccine.”
