DuPage County Board votes to remove name of lawmaker tied to abortion law from courthouse

DUPAGE CO., Ill. - The DuPage County Board voted to remove the name of a former Illinois congressman tied to a controversial abortion law from the county’s Wheaton courthouse.

The item was on the agenda for the board’s meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Ten members voted in favor, five voted against and two abstained with one member absent.

Ties to abortion law

What we know:

The resolution rescinded a previous measure to rename the courthouse after U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde, a Republican who represented parts of Chicago’s northwest suburbs between 1975 and 2007.

He died in 2007 and the resolution to rename the courthouse after him was originally passed in 2010.

U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde | U.S. Congress

The backstory:

The issue of removing his name arose because of his ties to a controversial federal measure, known as the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions with some exceptions.

The County Board resolution also rescinded the approval of construction for a monument to Hyde without the use of public funds.

Partisan issue

What they're saying:

Opponents of the measure argued removing Hyde's name was disrespectful and a waste of the county board's time.

"This is so narrow-minded," said member James Zay, who also praised Hyde's work as a congressman.

Many also argued that Hyde contributed significantly to DuPage County on several issues from securing money for stormwater infrastructure, to sound-proofing homes near O'Hare International Airport.

"I'm opposed to [the resolution] because it's unnecessary," said member Sam Tornatore, who added, "This is canceling in its purest form."

Even some Democratic members expressed unease about the measure. Member Lucy Chang Evans said the resolution put the board in "an awkward spot."

Still, supporters of the measure argued that public facilities should not be named after partisan politicians, especially a courthouse where citizens are expected to be treated fairly by the law.