Abortion, Ultrasound Battle Rages on Illinois House Floor

A legislative battle over abortions and ultrasounds has reached the Illinois House floor.  Abortion opponents want to require that women be given the option of seeing an ultrasound image of their fetus before undergoing an abortion. Unlike proposals in some other states, it would not force women to obtain an ultrasound.  Abortion-rights advocates are fighting the bill. They proposed a series of amendments yesterday that were meant to kill the idea, including making men view a video on the side effects of Viagra and other erectile-dysfunction medications.  The House overwhelmingly rejected the amendments.  But the sponsor postponed action on the underlying bill. Democratic Representative  Joe Lyons of Chicago said some backers were absent, so a vote will be taken later.