Chicago Tribune (CT) - SATURDAY September 3, 1988 Edition: SPORTS FINAL Section: NEWS Page: 5 Word Count: 719
Daniel Egler, Chicago Tribune

The measure had been strongly supported by the Illinois State Medical Society but opposed by the state Department of Public Health and gay rights leaders who argued unsuccessfully that provisions of the new law could deter those at risk of having AIDS from seeking medical care and counseling.

At the same time, the governor vetoed other legislation that would have allowed dentists to refuse treatment to patients with infectious diseases, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), if they referred them to another dentist within 10 days.

Thompson said the bill eliminating the consent requirement in some cases is compatible with the comprehensive AIDS package he signed a year ago because it requires the state to "exercise its responsibility to weigh individual rights against the public safety-protecting the health of the community at large."

Thompson also said that he feels "strongly that more high risk individuals will receive care if health professionals can be assured of a safe work environment."

The new law repeals the requirement that written consent be obtained when a health care provider, firefighter, ambulance attendant or employee of a health care facility is accidentally exposed to blood or bodily fluids that might transmit HIV. In addition, physicians may test individuals for AIDS without their permission if the doctor determines the test is necessary to provide an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Bernard Turnock, the state's public health director, had urged Thompson to veto the bill because of the "very real problems of discrimination and stigmatizing" of AIDS victims that are not common with other infectious diseases.

"We communicated our objections to the governor, but since he has signed it, we will carry out the provisions of the law," said Tom Schafer, a spokesman for Turnock.

"There are a number of fears that we had that would happen, and now that the bill is signed we will have to work harder with people in high risk groups and with the medical community to make sure those don't come to pass."

Grant Thornley, co-chair of the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force, which opposed provisions that allow testing without consent, said the bill will keep people wary of how they receive their health care.

"I feel that it is a case of ignorance winning over facts again," he said. "People are afraid of AIDS, and that fosters repressive and oppressive legislation, like this. I think it will induce a certain amount of paranoia in people who think they might need to be tested.

Thompson said he vetoed the bill allowing dentists to refer AIDS patients to other dentists because it would have violated the state Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of a physical handicap.

"I believe that most dentists have already begun to learn about the disease, as evidenced by recent surveys revealing that 90 percent of all dentists already wear rubber gloves or other protective barriers at least some of the time," Thompson said.

As Thompson cleared his desk of all but a dozen bills before leaving Monday for Europe, Hong Kong and China, the governor this week also:

- Approved legislation that will prevent the United Republican Fund, a conservative group that twice has worked feverishly to thwart Thompson's proposals to increase taxes, from using the word "Republican" in its name. The new law prohibits not-for-profit organizations from using the political party's name without the consent of the party's state central committee.

- Vetoed a bill that would have allowed judges to remain on the bench past their 75th birthday.

- Ignored protests from the Illinois Municipal League and signed into law a bill that would force Westchester to let residents of a nearby unincorporated area tap into its water lines. The bill allows 12 households along Hickory Lane in unincorporated Cook County west of the village to hook up. The municipal league had opposed the bill, saying it was an intrusion by the state into a local controversy.

Hickory Lane homeowners want Westchester water because two of their wells have been found to contain cancer-causing chemicals.

The Westchester Village Board has repeatedly deadlocked on whether the hookup should be permitted.

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