* From Gov. JB Pritzker’s second inaugural address…
One thing last year proved is that if given the chance, a bunch of right-wing judges and legislators will take away women’s rights. Well, Illinois spoke loudly and decisively in 2022 and declared that in the Land of Lincoln, we trust women! The right to privacy and bodily autonomy demand that we establish a constitutional protection for reproductive rights in Illinois. The extremists still want to take away a woman’s right to choose, and I don’t intend to let them. That’s why yet again, on women’s rights, Illinois will lead.
* When asked about his promise last week, the governor said…
I don’t think there’s anybody who would challenge that I have been the most pro-choice governor in the history of the state of Illinois, that we passed the Reproductive Health Act in 2019 that I have made it abundantly clear that if you are seeking refuge from another state where they have outlawed abortion, that we will do everything we can to make available to you the services that you need. So we’ve done everything that’s in our power, and we have enshrined into law in the state of Illinois, all of the things that I just said, and much more. So what I have talked about is that we need a national, a federal constitutional amendment. And wherever people have a ability to put this on the ballot, and where they do not have their rights. And therefore an amendment would reverse and that and and trying their rights into the Constitution. We’ve done it. I think you’ve seen in 10 states that I’ve engaged, in 10 states to try to help them. These are states where their rights are at risk or they’ve been taken away entirely. And in I think eight of those 10 states we have, well, we’re on the verge of it in Nevada, but I mean, they we’ve reversed the prohibition against it in those states. But in Illinois, I don’t think anybody feels like this government or this legislature or the state of Illinois is aiming to take away their reproductive rights.
* From the Tribune reporter who asked the question…
With Republican-led states enacting new restrictions since the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision and in some cases targeting patients who seek abortion services in more permissive states, time, energy and money are better spent passing amendments elsewhere and shoring up protections for Illinois providers and their patients, said state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Chicago Democrat who was one of the lead sponsors of the 2019 Reproductive Health Act that Pritzker signed into law.
“Do I wish that our (state) constitution had those protections? Yes,” Cassidy said. “Do I think we’re at risk right now (because of the absence of an amendment)? No.” […]
While lawmakers’ attention is divided among a broad range of issues, even abortion rights advocates haven’t been putting public pressure on Pritzker or legislative Democrats to push for a state constitutional amendment.
That’s in large part because any efforts by conservatives to undo the existing protections for abortion rights under Illinois law would require a seismic shift in the state’s political landscape, said Sarah Garza Resnick, president and CEO of Personal PAC, a pro-abortion rights political action committee.
Discuss.
- Steve - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 9:46 am:
Other states have enshrined abortion rights in their constitutions. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened here in Illinois because , I assume, that’s what voters want.
- localgovhero - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 10:28 am:
With the many discussions concerning constitutional amendments this year, I am interested to see how the 2028 Constitutional Convention ballot question goes and is spun by various interest groups.
- Mason County - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 10:51 am:
Probably not necessary to put it on the ballot. But do it anyway. It will pass easily and more easily guarantees it in the future.
- WK - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 10:57 am:
I feel like the whole point would be more to boost turnout, and I don’t feel like that will be an issue for Dems this fall. I could easily see Pritzker wanting that on the ballot when he’s on there for a different office to help run up the score at home, or potentially a 2030 midterm that might trend the other direction.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 10:58 am:
===or potentially a 2030 midterm that might trend the other direction===
That would definitely not be the time nor the reason to do it.
- Kelly Cassidy - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 11:05 am:
State constitutional amendments require significant resources in support of their passage - just throwing it out there and assuming it will achieve the level of support required to prevail is too risky. At the national level, where much of the support for these efforts comes from, the focus remains on restoring access in states with restrictions or bans. States that have passed constitutional amendments in recent years are still working through efforts to pass new laws conforming with the amendments, as a constitutional amendment alone is not a cure for anti-choice politicians.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 12:06 pm:
===It will pass easily and more easily guarantees it in the future. ===
Passage requires 60 percent or a majority of all those voting in the election itself. Not an easy slam dunk.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 12:26 pm:
I think the way that a significant portion of folks who support women having access to Healthcare in 2024 voted might have spooked some folks about the reliability of issue at large.
Also, who are you encouraging to turn out with this amendment?
Who does one think might be lacking enthusiasm in November?
- Leslie K - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 1:45 pm:
I agree 100% with Rep. Cassidy on this matter. Would it be nice to have the protection in the IL constitution? Of course. Is that where we should be putting resources right now (and potentially generate unintended consequences/risks)? Probably not. Illinois rights are safe right now, to the extent a state can protect those rights. Let’s work in ways other than an IL CA.
- Steve - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 2:15 pm:
- Not an easy slam dunk.-
This is one party rule state . This isn’t a swing state. I would think abortion rights would have extremely strong support from the massive Democratic party presence her in Illinois. When is Illinois going to join 10 other states?
- Odysseus - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 2:20 pm:
I am all for protecting abortion rights as strongly as possible. In laws alone is not nearly good enough. Pass the amendment.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 2:28 pm:
===I would think===
Dude, stop trolling.
- WK - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 2:32 pm:
= That would definitely not be the time nor the reason to do it.=
If you assume a dem president in 2028, then you would assume a little swing to the right in 2030, or at least lackluster dem excitement, so…. What better time?
In terms of the reason, well, it seems like ballot questions in Illinois are almost always about either driving up turnout, or hitting the limit to block something else from being on there.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 2:34 pm:
=== it seems like ballot questions in Illinois are almost always about either driving up turnout===
This is a constitutional amendment. Big difference.
===What better time?===
When the opposition isn’t so fired up? When the groups have their acts together?
Did you think Raja was gonna win by a huge margin, too?
- Juvenal - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 2:59 pm:
i think “despite pledge” says it all.
He said he would do something, and he didn’t.
I have friends taking their daughter to visit college campuses this year.
She’s an underclassman in high school.
Only schools in pro-choice states are on their list.
- Leslie K - Monday, May 4, 26 @ 3:23 pm:
==presence her in Illinois==
Something about this typo (presumably a typo) just makes me smile.