Lawmaker: Conversion therapy funding ban ‘hypocritical’ amid youth gender care doubts

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are advancing legislation to prohibit taxpayer funding for conversion therapy, even as the state continues to spend public dollars on gender-affirming care resources – a contradiction critics say exposes a deeper ideological divide over government-funded counseling and healthcare. House Bill 4554 would amend the State Finance Act to prohibit any taxpayer funding for conversion therapy, voiding related contracts as against public policy. Conversion therapy for minors has been illegal in Illinois since 2016. State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, questioned why lawmakers are targeting funding for an already-banned practice while taxpayer dollars continue to support gender-affirming initiatives such as IL Pride Connect, a state-funded hotline that provides referrals and resources for gender-affirming care. “Conversion therapy has been banned in Illinois for a long time,” Hauter told TCS. “So I don’t even understand why this bill is being brought forward