On Monday three days after the Supreme Court issued its groundbreaking decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Dr. Caitlin Bernard, an Indianapolis obstetrician-gynecologist, took a call from a colleague, a child abuse doctor in Ohio.
Hours after the Supreme Court action, the Buckeye state had outlawed any abortion after six weeks. Now this doctor had a 10-year-old patient in the office who was six weeks and three days pregnant.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost appeared on Fox News this week, casting doubt on the veracity of Dr. Caitlin Bernard’s account that a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim needed to travel to Indiana for an abortion.
Yost, a Republican, doubled down on that in an interview with the USA TODAY Network Ohio bureau on Tuesday.
“Every day that goes by the more likely that this is a fabrication. I know the cops and prosecutors in this state. There’s not one of them that wouldn’t be turning over every rock, looking for this guy and they would have charged him,” he said. “I’m not saying it could not have happened. What I’m saying to you is there is not a damn scintilla of evidence. And shame on the Indianapolis paper that ran this thing on a single source who has an obvious axe to grind.”"
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita went on Fox News Wednesday night to say he is looking into the Indianapolis obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Caitlin Bernard, who provided a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio with an abortion.
“We’re gathering the evidence as we speak, and we’re going to fight this to the end, including looking at her licensure,” Rokita said. “If she failed to report it in Indiana, it’s a crime for — to not report, to intentionally not report.”
The attorney general also claimed that Bernard has “a history of failing to report,” as a part of his roughly 2-minute appearance on the Fox News show “Jesse Watters Primetime.”
Rokita did not provide any evidence to back up his claims.
He later released a statement reiterating his speculation about whether reporting requirements had been followed, and said he was “investigating this situation.” He also said there may be further action if a HIPAA violation occurred, meaning patient information was improperly shared. He did not offer evidence.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a 10-year-old survivor of rape in Ohio was forced to travel to Indiana to obtain an abortion. For weeks, Republicans have placed doubt upon the story and failed to acknowledge the destructive nature of abortion restrictions in their own states.
Now, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has indicated that he wants to investigate the doctor who performed the abortion and challenge her medical license. Instead of going after the rapist who attacked an underage girl, today’s GOP is more concerned with prosecuting doctors providing critical care.
Darren Bailey voted against the Reproductive Health Act, which codified the right to choose into state law and removed the law in Illinois that holds doctors criminally liable for performing an abortion. Bailey even served as a co-sponsor of a bill that would repeal the Reproductive Health Act entirely.
“As more and more states implement dangerous anti-abortion legislation, it is essential that Illinois remains an island for reproductive freedom. Voters need an answer from Darren Bailey: does he stand with protecting doctors or with the man who sexually abused a 10-year-old?” said JB for Governor Press Secretary Eliza Glezer. “We deserve to know just how far Bailey is willing to go to restrict women’s rights in Illinois. In Darren Bailey’s Illinois, doctors providing essential health care and the patients they treat could face greater burdens than abusers.”
Bailey has stated that he does not support allowing abortions even in cases of rape or incest. His extreme beliefs are a danger to women and girls in Illinois and in our neighboring states like Indiana and Ohio.
* Because the story involved two fellow state attorneys general, I asked for a statement from Attorney General Kwame Raoul today. The AG sent two. This Raoul statement is from the government side…
The scenario playing out in Ohio and Indiana demonstrates that even in the most extreme situations, some states will focus on creating obstacles to abortion access by denying the reality that the Supreme Court’s decision opens a door to potentially horrific outcomes. It is absolutely reprehensible that one state attorney general would question whether a minor who was raped would need an abortion while another would seek to punish the medical professional who provided critical care to this child in crisis. Here in Illinois, we protect the right to abortion and will protect the providers who are stepping in to serve patients whose state laws force them to seek care beyond their borders. The fact that in their quest to create barriers to abortion, two attorneys general would seek to force a 10-year-old rape victim to go through the added trauma of carrying her rapist’s child, underscores the critical need for federal legislation reestablishing the fundamental right to abortion nationwide.
And this Raoul statement is from the campaign side…
We are already seeing the horrific consequences of Roe v. Wade being overturned in the case of a 10-year-old victim of rape in Ohio — and the impact state attorneys general now have in this new reality. The Ohio attorney general, who rushed to have his state’s extreme law implemented after the Dobbs decision, had the audacity to suggest the rape did not occur, instead of challenging this extremist law that would prevent this child from obtaining critical health care. In our neighboring state of Indiana, the attorney general’s sole focus is investigating a provider who legally provided the much-needed abortion to this 10-year-old rape survivor. This sadly demonstrates what happens when extremist politics enter the office of a state attorney general.
* The other JW’s petitions are getting the once-over…
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* From a reader: “It has been requested by some political colleagues that I send this meme to you—and so, that is exactly what I’m doing”…
It is his Saturday trip to Florida to be the keynote speaker for that state’s Democratic Party fundraiser, with tickets ranging between $300 and $1,000 each, that has sparked criticism from his GOP rival.
“I’ve got a message to Governor Pritzker: Get back home. Let’s work on surging police support in Chicago, and let’s slash your gas tax and stop campaigning for president,” said State Senator Darren Bailey, (R) Candidate for Governor.
“Florida is in dire need of a pro-choice, Democratic governor, and Governor Pritzker is proud to support the Florida Democratic Party in their efforts to flip the state blue,” said Natalie Edelstein, JB for Governor Communications Director, in defense of Pritzker’s trip.
“He is a go-to potential candidate in the Democratic Party right now. People want to hear from him, people want to see him [and] they see him as a new voice. He’s also trying to position himself to be perceived that way,” said ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington. “He’s trying to send a strong message that he’s ready to be perceived as a national player.”
On the stump, Pritzker has noted all of the things about himself that he says aren’t exactly the archetypal Democratic candidate — his Ukrainian-American heritage, his Jewish faith, his billionaire businessman status. He’s even made light of his weight.
“If you were running something through the computer, it wouldn’t spit out a portly, Jewish billionaire,” Axelrod said. “That’s not sort of the prototype from central casting of a president.”
But these are unusual times, Axelrod mused.
“I think that people are looking for a sort of muscularity and pushing back on Trumpism and on some of the agenda of the right. And he has set himself up,” Axelrod said. “I’m surprised about the number of people who I’ve heard from just recently in response to the Highland Park shootings and his response to the [National Rifle Association] and so on. And I heard a lot of cheering from the crowd from activist Democrats because they would like to see that in a president.”
* DGA…
Last week, New Hampshire GOP Gov. Chris Sununu slammed GOP gubernatorial candidates –– including Illinois’ Darren Bailey –– for championing the Big Lie and continuing to peddle conspiracies about the 2020 presidential election results.
When asked if he thought it was “disqualifying” for GOP gubernatorial hopefuls to push Trump’s disproven claims that the 2020 election was stolen as a result of widespread voter fraud, Sununu said: “If they were on the ballot in my state, I would disqualify them.”
And disqualify them he should.
Here in Illinois, Darren Bailey has a long record of pushing the Big Lie. He trafficked in ultra-MAGA voter fraud conspiracy theories following the 2020 election, encouraging his followers to “continue to pray for our president and this election process,” adding “all this fraudulent activity is absolutely disgusting. It’s wrong — it’s, in my opinion, almost the highest form of treason in our country, so we pray that that will be dealt with. We pray that the truth will be uncovered.” That’s in addition to constantposts claiming voter fraud and celebrating Trump’s false claims of victory.
Besides spreading the Big Lie far and wide, Bailey was quick to attack those who dared push back. After US Representative Adam Kinzinger called for Trump’s impeachment following the violent Jan 6th insurrection, Bailey encouraged the Illinois Republican party to “call on Congressman Kinzinger to stand down, or outright condemn his latest personal and political attack on President Trump and the tens of millions of Americans who support the President.”
“Even Darren Bailey’s fellow Republicans know his far-right, extremist views are wholly out-of-touch with voters here in Illinois and across the country. That’s why Illinoisans will disqualify Bailey at the ballot box this November and ensure he can’t hold the state’s highest office,” said DGA Illinois Press Secretary Yael Sheinfeld.
Some of Bailey’s posts…
I stand with President Trump and the process! It’s there for a purpose. I will prayerfully await the journey and accept the outcome. There has been entirely too much fraudulent activity.
I encourage the @ILGOP to call on Congressman Kinzinger to stand down, or outright condemn his latest personal and political attack on President Trump and the tens of millions of Americans who support the President.
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood announced today that her reelection campaign has raised more than $1,000,000 during the second fundraising quarter of 2022 continuing a trend of dominance over her opponent. Thanks to the grassroots support fueling her campaign, Underwood enters the third quarter with more than $2.8 million cash on hand, and has raised more than $5.2 million this cycle, signaling her strength in the race. U.S. Representative Underwood, a registered nurse and public health expert, has made access to high-quality, affordable health care and lowering costs for families her top priority in Congress.
“The general election is on, the stakes could not be higher and our campaign is stronger than ever thanks to the unwavering support of Team Underwood,” said Rep. Underwood. “We have a vision for the future of our community where hard working Illinoisans have high-quality and affordable health care, our children are free from the terror of mass shootings, women have full authority over their health care decisions, there are more good paying union jobs rebuilding our infrastructure, and billionaires and corporations finally pay their fair share of taxes. That’s a vision worth fighting for and I’m honored to have the support of my community to bring it to life.”
In the June 28th primary, Congresswoman Underwood earned nearly three times more votes than her GOP opponent beating him in all seven counties including his home Kendall County, and in Will County, the largest in the district, she outperformed the entire Republican field combined.
In response to mass shootings that occurred in New York, Texas, and most recently in Highland Park, State Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) filed legislation to hold parents consenting to FOID applicants under 21 years old criminally liable for any damages resulting from their use of firearms. Rep. Batinick filed House Bill 5769 on Friday to ensure parents are also held criminally liable in the events of these tragedies.
“The mass shootings that plague our nation and state regularly are stealing the lives of our loved ones, neighbors, and children,” said Rep. Batinick. “House Bill 5769 will help us hold parents criminally liable in Illinois for any damages resulting from the firearm, firearms, or ammunition in which they consented for their child under the age of 21 to have the FOID card to purchase. We need to take gun safety seriously and ensure that our younger adults are prepared, trained, and fit to own a firearm by adding this layer of accountability for parents consenting.”
The Firearm Owners Identification Card Act states that individuals must be 21 years old to apply for a FOID card. Individuals under 21 years old must meet certain requirements and have the written consent of their parents or legal guardians who are eligible to also possess a FOID card. Currently, parents of children under 21 who give consent are civilly liable for damages resulting from the children’s use of firearms or ammunition. HB 5769 will also hold parents criminally liable in these events.
According to a February article from the National Institute of Justice, from 2010 to 2019, the average lives mass shootings claimed increased to 51 deaths per year and of known mass shooting cases, 77% engaged in mass shootings had “purchased at least some of their guns legally, while illegal purchases were made by 13% of those committing mass shootings.”
“This is practical legislation we can apply to increase firearm safety awareness and awareness of the consequences of firearm damages,” said Rep. Batinick. “This is a way to help make our communities safer and ensure kids under 21 and their parents fully consent to the great responsibility of owning firearms.”
State Sen. Bill Cunningham (18th District) Rep. Fran Hurley (35th District), who represent one of Chicago’s most populous neighborhoods of police officers, introduced legislation that could provide officers with some much-needed rest and relief.
The proposal is designed to end the city’s practice of routinely canceling officers’ regularly scheduled days off to make up for chronic staffing shortages.
“The Chicago Police Department has approximately 1,500 fewer officers than it is budgeted for,” Hurley said in a news release. “The way to fix this problem is to hire more officers, not cancel scheduled days off for existing officers and force them to work 12 or 13 days in a row without relief.”
Cunningham said canceling days off has become a routine staffing police for CPD and “part of a misguided crime-fighting strategy.”
* Politico interviews Abdelnasser Rashid, a progressive who defeated Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) in the primary…
Along with knocking out a powerful lawmaker, Rashid’s victory is significant because of how he won: using his full name and showcasing his ethnicity, including his wife in full hijab.
The 32-year-old Chicago-born community organizer had run unsuccessfully in previous races — for Cook County Commission in 2018 and Cook County Board of Review in 2020. In both those races, he was advised to Americanize his name to “Nas,” a nickname he sometimes uses, and to downplay his background. The thinking was that he needed to be palatable to voters who might have prejudices against Arabs or perceived foreigners.
Rashid ignored the advice then and set out on his latest campaign with optimism that voters would accept him for who he is.
“We believed that once people got to know me, that they can move past any preconceptions,” Rashid told Playbook.
Like other successful candidates, he spent countless hours walking the district, “personally knocking on close to 7,000 doors,” he said. “There’s nothing more powerful than real conversations — not just to share your vision but to hear what’s going on in their lives.”
Political observers see Rashid’s success in the 21st District, which includes Cicero and Berwyn, and Delia Ramirez’s victory in the newly created 3rd Congressional District, as proof that the suburbs are becoming more diverse.
Yes, they’re becoming more diverse, but also much more welcoming, at least in the Democratic primary.
* Allie Lichterman with the People’s Lobby, which put a ton of progressive volunteers into the field this spring, has a Sun-Times op-ed…
Heading into the midterm elections, media outlets and political party leaders insisted that “tough-on-crime” policies would be on every voter’s mind; if elected officials wanted to win, they must back off reforms or face losses and the wrath of police unions.
In Cook County, primary election results told a very different story. Progressives who talked about non-carceral solutions to violence won big.
Movement-grown state Rep. Delia Ramirez beat a powerful sitting alderman in her bid for Congress. Toni Preckwinkle held onto her role as Cook County board president while supporting jail decarceration and bail reform. Organizer Anthony Quezada defeated a long- time incumbent for Cook County commissioner on a platform that included a civilian first responder program.
Meanwhile, the Fraternal Order of Police failed to convince the public that reforming the criminal legal system will undermine public safety. The clearest test was on Chicago’s Northwest Side, home to many police officers and assumed to be conservative. […]
While the FOP poured $100,000 into trying to scare voters, concerned community members with the People’s Lobby had actual conversations with people in those same neighborhoods. We knocked on the doors of over 8,000 people and spoke directly with thousands of them. What we heard may surprise the FOP and the pundits.
We brought up ending money bond at every door, and voters understood that denying people the presumption of innocence does not keep us safe. What does is school funding, racial justice, health care, bike lanes, reforming our regressive tax system, and much more.
It’s not like any of these candidates sent out mailers promising to let more people out of prison. But they didn’t run away from the issues and talked about other things that society can do to address crime. And all the winners worked hard and fielded strong campaigns.
* Trying to ham-handedly gin up fear among the primary electorate failed miserably. WTTW…
[Rep. Delia Ramirez] actually won two races on Jan. 28. She was also elected as the Democratic State Central Committeeperson, defeating Iris Martinez, the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk. Martinez campaigned with Catanzara, and endorsed many of the same candidates backed by the police union. Ramirez will now have a say in how the Democratic Party of Illinois operates. […]
Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (33rd Ward) said it was a miscalculation on the part of Democratic moderates like Martinez to respond to the spike in violence during the pandemic by supporting so-called “tough on crime” measures and seeking the support of Chicago’s police union.
“It didn’t resonate,” said Rodriguez Sanchez, who has advocated for legislation decreasing funding for the Chicago Police Department and increasing funding for mental health treatment and social services. “It was a landslide.”
The Chicago FOP-funded mailers were over the top and not very well produced. But they and others will be back in the fall against folks like Sen. Rob Martwick (D-Chicago). They probably won’t do much better. Martwick, a former FOP ally, represents a district that all statewide Democrats have won by double digits the past three cycles. The “closest” race was Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s first win in 2016, and that margin in Martwick’s new district was still about 12 points (she won by 4.6 in Martwick’s current district). She then took the district by 38 points two years later.
