Letter to the Editor: Sanctuary city ordinance no different than government telling me to wear mask during pandemic

Why has the Quincy City Council decided it is within their scope of responsibility to make Quincy a sanctuary city, preventing abortions and medications related to abortion from being available in the city of Quincy?

In attempting to make the city a “safe haven,” this ordinance will make the city unsafe for many current residents and “protect” the unborn at the expense of those already born – the mother, her family and the community. Under this ordinance, Quincy residents who need confidential health care would be subject to refusals to have needed health care within their own community, as well as fear-inducing scrutiny.

No person should fear asking questions and seeking answers from a health care professional. The decisions made as a result of this consultation should not be under the jurisdiction of the city government. Additionally, the city council can better spend their time and city resources addressing other issues that impact the safety of all Quincy citizens such as adequate food and adequate and affordable housing.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were loud cries in this community from people who didn’t want the government telling them that they were required to mask, get a vaccination or social distance — in other words, making health-care decisions for them and their families. How is this different?

This ordinance is an example of the government, in this case the city council, deciding what is in the best interests of a group of individuals. The question of sanctuary city status has been asked and answered in Danville. 

This country has a long and ugly history of imposing paternalistic decisions for the health care of others, including withholding proven effective treatments and forced sterilization. This ordinance is an overreach by the city to make paternalistic decisions for pregnant women. 

I ask the members of the Quincy City Council to withdraw this proposed ordinance or vote no. 

Jeri A. Conboy
Quincy, Illinois