The Democratic candidate for state legislature rallied support and voiced opinions about the common belief of “a woman’s right to choose” abortion.

Robert Tisch, the candidate for the state representative for the 76th district, stood beneath a banner stating “Who will choose, the woman or the state?” Tisch, along with speakers from the National Organization for Women, NIU law faculty and the DeKalb County Coalition for Choice, conducted the “Rally for Reproductive Rights.”

“Today I must make crystal-clear how my stand differs with that of my opponent on the issue of abortion,” Tisch explained. He claimed his opponent, Republican Brad Burzynski, said abortion cannot continue to be used as birth control.

“Then I say let our society make sure that all our citizens know of the potentialities and responsibilities which go along with every sexual relationship,” said Tisch in response.

“Let me say unequivically that the choice on whether to terminate a pre-viability pregnancy must be left to the woman involved,” he said.

“She may consult her partner, her family, her doctor, or her God, but in the end, the decision is hers,” he said. “The one sure thing is that the state of Illinois has no place in that decision.”

Burzynski had no comment on the rally.

In addition to Tisch, his campaign manager and member of the DeKalb County Coalition for Choice, Connor Anderson, Barb Giolitt, chairman of the Coalition for Choice, and Lorraine Schmall, from the NIU College of Law, also spoke.

“A woman should be free to choose safe and legal abortion,” said Giolitt, who also spoke of the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision where “basic constitutional rights were upheld.”

“The decision to have an abortion is personal and should not be interfered with by the government,” she added.

“Constitutionally, a woman should have the right to control her own body,” Schmall said. “I hope the legislature shares my opinion and says the choice belongs only to women.”

Senior English major Karen Van Fossan held a sign at the rally. “I’m pro-choice because the government should not have the right to tell women to have babies,” she said.

” … especially when they don’t take any responsibility for children they force us to have,” added Hillary Finne, a senior English major who also held a sign.

NIU law student Chris McKenna “wanted to see what (Tisch) felt about the value of human life, not just in the area of abortion.” McKenna asked Tisch about denying food for comatose patients, but Tisch could not comment because he was not familiar with specific cases.