* Press release…
In the wake of legislation signed by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner that would allow for the use of taxpayer money to cover an unlimited number of abortions anytime for any reason, members of the Illinois Republican Congressional Delegation voted to advance bipartisan legislation H.R. 36 – the Unborn Pain-Capable Child Protection Act – to restrict abortions 20 weeks or more after conception, the point at which unborn fetuses can feel pain.
Representatives Peter Roskam (IL-06), John Shimkus (IL-15), Randy Hultgren (IL-14), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement:
“Henry Hyde championed the rights of the unborn through the Hyde Amendment, which expressly prohibits federal funding for abortions. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2005 to 2014, the infant mortality rate in the United States dropped 15 percent. Much of this progress can be attributed to technological advancements in medicine that gives children born prematurely and with various medical issues a fighting chance. H.R. 36 protects children like Micah Pickering who was born at 22 weeks and is a thriving toddler today. Read his story here.
“In a reversal of long-standing Illinois policy, Governor Rauner has let down Illinois taxpayers and the unborn by signing H.B. 40. Today, the Illinois delegation stands together in our support of H.R. 36 to protect human life.”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a party’s entire state congressional delegation criticize their own party’s governor like that before. Or, at least, excluding the time during Rod Blagojevich’s arrest/impeachment.
And, like with Blagojevich, the criticism actually may help these Republicans electorally by putting some distance between themselves and a very unpopular person. Not many Democrats suffered electoral consequences from their past relationships with Blagojevich mainly because they so thoroughly trashed him at the end.
* The other side of the H.R. 36 issue from Planned Parenthood…
Congress is preparing to vote on a bill that would impose a nationwide ban on abortion at 20 weeks. This dangerous, out-of-touch legislation is nothing more than yet another attempt to restrict women’s access to safe, legal abortion.
Nearly 99 percent of abortions occur before 21 weeks, but when they are needed later in pregnancy, it’s often in very complex circumstances. For example, severe fetal anomalies and serious risks to the woman’s health — the kind of situations where a woman and her doctor need every medical option available.
20-week bans are also highly unpopular throughout the country. 61% of all voters say abortion should be legal after 20 weeks. Plus, Democrats (78%), Republicans (62%), and Independents (71%) say this is the wrong issue for lawmakers to be spending time on.
*** UPDATE *** Illinois ACLU…
It is a sad reflection that seven members of our Illinois Congressional delegation yesterday issued a statement that purposefully misrepresented the facts about Illinois House Bill 40, signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner last week. That new law simply extends coverage for health care, including abortion care, to all women in our state, even if they get their health insurance through the State. The law in no way changes abortion law in Illinois regarding when an abortion can be legally and safely performed. It is simply political distortion to say otherwise – and these lawmakers should retract that assertion.
It is fascinating that the Congressmen link their fake critique of House Bill 40 to federal legislation they support – H.R. 36. This abortion ban relies on fake “science” and fake claims. The assertion that the Congressmen supported the federal measure as a response to House Bill 40 is laughable and should fool no one. These seven members are long-time anti-abortion partisans, who have supported numerous restrictions on the ability of women in Illinois and across the country to make the most intimate decisions – about when and if to become a parent.
We can only stand in bewilderment that members of our congressional delegation champion H.R. 36, which counts among its prime sponsors a member of Congress who urged a woman with whom he had an affair to terminate her pregnancy. This is hypocrisy and political partisanship of the highest order.
House Bill 40 will help women in Illinois. These members of Congress should applaud, not condemn, such legislation.
14 Comments  
|
Ives: “I’m letting it kind of boil up”
Tuesday, Oct 3, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* NBC 5…
Illinois Republicans are split over whether to support Gov. Bruce Rauner after his decision to sign the abortion funding measure, House Bill 40.
Wheaton State Rep. Jeanne Ives has been approached by conservatives to consider opposing Rauner in the March primary, but for now, she is noncommittal.
“I’m not actively pursuing it, I’m letting it kind of boil up and we’ll see what happens,” Ives said. “I’m hoping somebody comes forward to run against him and we take him out as Republicans. Or I’m hoping that he decides on his own, ‘Look my base is eroded beneath me, there’s no chance of me winning because my base is going to stay home.’”
* A new Facebook group has been created…
Wow! Almost 100 likes already! Thank you for showing your support! Invite your friends to like the page and join us in supporting Jeanne Ives for Governor.
Posted by People's Choice recruit Jeanne Ives for Governor on Monday, October 2, 2017
23 hours later, they were up to 101 “likes.” Not exactly a boiling cauldron. Perhaps y’all can help.
* But, it is kind of interesting that the local county party is sharing the group’s event on its Facebook page…
Please join us at South Rock Island County Adventure, Reynolds, IL
Posted by Rock Island County Republicans on Sunday, October 1, 2017
* Meanwhile, on to the BND…
As candidates for legislative positions jump into various races in Southern Illinois and around the state, state Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, is still waiting to determine his next move.
McCarter, who is not running for re-election in 2018, has been recommended by Illinois Republican congressional members to be the next ambassador to Kenya. He has interviewed for the position, but the White House has yet to decide who it will nominate. […]
McCarter’s reaction to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s decision to sign House Bill 40 allowing Medicaid to pay for abortions left him and others saying Rauner should not run for re-election.
McCarter added he’s had numerous people ask him to consider a run for the governor’s office.
“My statement that he should not run for re-election has nothing to do with me and what my plans are,” McCarter said. “I believe he has betrayed in the greatest way the people that got him elected.”
Whatever he decides, maybe the Senator should refund the $30,000 that Rauner and his even more decidedly pro-choice wife have given him and his group over the years.
…Adding… WJBC…
“I was frustrated,” said State Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, who was recently named the party’s Senate leader. “This is a bill that I opposed. I have voted pro-life, I am pro file. I had a number of meetings with the governor, one-on-one, to talk about this.”
Brady told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin Illinois Democrats pushed through the abortion measure with Rauner in office to cause a rift within the Republican party.
Brady added the governor isn’t pushing a social agenda, but he doubts anyone would mount a primary challenge against Rauner next year.
“The governor would be very tough to beat and I think anyone who is thinking about a primary run better have a lot of money and better realize this is a big state and it’s hard just to jump into,” Brady said.
Brady said any challenger would likely need a lot of money and wouldn’t have a lot of time.
50 Comments
|
* People need to start paying more attention to this…
* Whatever growth there is hasn’t been nearly enough…
*** UPDATE *** From Rep. Mike Fortner…
Hi Rich,
I don’t know if you saw this yesterday, but the Census Bureau released their 2016 estimates for population and other demographics by congressional district. As we are expected to lose a district after 2020, this gives a clue as to where the losses have been greatest so far this decade. I’ve converted the raw population estimates into percentages that each congressional district is short of the national average.
IL-01 -7%
IL-02 -4%
IL-03 -3%
IL-04 -6%
IL-05 -2%
IL-06 -3%
IL-07 -2%
IL-08 -3%
IL-09 -2%
IL-10 -4%
IL-11 -1%
IL-12 -1%
IL-13 -5%
IL-14 -1%
IL-15 -5%
IL-16 -7%
IL-17 -7%
IL-18 -4%
If population trends continue this way through 2020, then IL-01, 04, 12, 16, and 17 will all be at least 10% below the national average by the time of the census. That roughly suggests the amount of population those districts would have to add to comply with the next round of redistricting.
42 Comments
|
* AFSCME Council 31…
A DCFS Child Protective Investigator in the Sterling Office was sent out at the end of the day on Friday, September 29 to check on the welfare of a child. When the investigator arrived, the father, Andrew Sucher, viciously attacked her, knocking her to the ground repeatedly assaulting the investigator about the head.
As a result of the attack, the DCFS investigator sustained very serious brain injuries. She was airlifted to a hospital in Rockford where she has undergone two surgeries. She is currently in a coma.
Out of concern for the family, we are not releasing the employee’s name at this time. Kathy Lane, the president of AFSCME Local 448, knows her very well and was with the family at the hospital throughout the night after the attack. An AFSCME Personal Support Program (PSP) counselor has also been there to provide assistance. Kathy is urgently requesting prayers for this DCFS employee and fellow AFSCME member who is now so gravely injured as a result of her dedication to protecting an endangered child.
“This brutal attack is a horrific reminder of the dangers that DCFS employees confront every day on the job,” said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch. “There must be a thorough review of agency policies, as well as a commitment to assure staffing levels that can protect at-risk children and the employees we count on to safeguard them.”
The assailant has been arrested and is being held on $200,000 bond.
* Background…
Andrew J. Sucher, 29, was out of jail on $15,000 bond, facing aggravated battery of a child, which carries 2 to 5 years in prison, and misdemeanor battery, domestic battery and interfering with the reporting of a domestic battery in a Whiteside County case when he was arrested Friday in Dixon. […]
Sucher was charged July 31 and pleaded not guilty Aug. 14 in the Whiteside County case. He has a pretrial hearing Oct. 25. A public defender has been assigned.
He also has an active emergency order of protection against him in Whiteside County, also filed July 31.
He was convicted of misdemeanor battery in 2011 in Carroll County and was sentenced to a year of court supervision.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
State Representatives Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), Tony McCombie (R-Savanna), and Brian Stewart (R-Freeport) urged prayers and community awareness following a brutal attack on a DCFS Child Protective Investigator at a child welfare check on Friday, September 29th in Carroll County.
The three legislators offered the following statement today:
“This tragic attack highlights the dangers faced by our child welfare officers every day and the profound need to continue to educate communities on eliminating violence, especially domestic violence. Along with our fellow legislators, we offer our prayers to the family of the DCFS Investigator, as well as to her co-workers and fellow employees who are saving lives in Illinois’ child welfare system every day. This is terribly frightening and traumatizing for all of our hardworking Child Protective Investigators, but this incident shows how important their work is in protecting children from violence and harm.”
…Adding… Press release…
The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) released its annual Domestic Violence Homicide Report for 2017 today. ICADV’s report states that 61 people died in Illinois because of domestic violence during the period of the report. 55 were adults and six (6) were under the age of 18. These deaths were identified as part of 44 separate incidents, indicating many perpetrators killed more than one victim at the time, highlighting it is important to understand that domestic violence doesn’t occur to just one victim.
“The numbers have risen,” says Vickie Smith, Executive Director of ICADV. “To us this means we have much more to do in educating our citizens about what domestic violence is and how we all play a part in working to eliminate it from our state.”
Another issue reported in the last four annual reports is the number of perpetrators that commit suicide after the murders. The latest report indicates twelve perpetrators committed suicide after killing their victim(s). “This is important when developing prevention programs. We need to pay attention to suicide ideation as well as threats of homicide when assisting victims with safety planning”, said Smith.
The full report is here.
27 Comments
|
Local react to Las Vegas shootings
Monday, Oct 2, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Congressman Brad Schneider…
“I’m horrified by the senseless shooting last night in Las Vegas. This violence sears our hearts and leaves countless families forever, tragically changed.
“I extend my sincere condolences to all those who lost loved ones and send prayers for recovery to those wounded. And I’m grateful for the professionalism and bravery of law enforcement and first responders during and after this attack.
“Words and prayers are not enough for Las Vegas and other victims of gun violence across our country. We must come together to tackle this epidemic. Enough is enough.”
* Congressman Bill Foster…
We woke up to unimaginable news this morning. We stand in solidarity with Las Vegas today. We will mourn those we lost too soon and will keep their families and friends close to our hearts. But we cannot accept these tragedies as normal. There is no reason why a fun night at a concert should turn into a death sentence. We owe it to the memory of everyone who died to make sure we do everything we can to prevent another mass shooting.
* More on Twitter…
I’ll post more as they come in.
…Adding… US Sen. Duckworth…
“My heart goes out to the victims of the tragic shooting in Las Vegas last night and their loved ones. Such senseless and horrifying acts of violence have no place in America or any other nation. The law enforcement officers and first responders who put their lives on the line to protect others deserve our solemn thanks for their bravery and courage in the face of the deadliest shooting in our country’s history.”
* Congressman Kinzinger…
“This morning, we woke up to horrific news of a senseless attack in Las Vegas, with more than 50 lives taken in an act of pure evil. I send my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. And my thoughts and prayers are with the injured and all those involved in this tragedy.
“Thank you to the first responders, local law enforcement, and the medical personnel in Las Vegas – their work and heroic actions saved lives. As a nation, we mourn this horrific, senseless tragedy and we stand together against this vile act of hate.”
* More from the Kennedy campaign…
“Our thoughts are with the victims of last night’s mass shooting and with the countless families who now face a lifetime of heartache and grief. We must stop the violence that plagues our communities, our state and our country. We need leadership that brings us together to heal, instead of leadership that divides us to foster hate.”
* US Rep. Robin Kelly…
Just who and how many have to die from gun violence?
Background checks, gun trafficking, straw purchases, military weapons , access to mental health, Congress we have got to step up and stop hiding behind the Second Amendment.
Kids can’t play outside or walk to the store.
You can’t go to a concert, movie theater or practice for a charity baseball game.
I know nothing will solve everything but we have got to start somewhere!!
I am not against the Second Amendment, so do not suggest that, but senseless gun violence cannot continue and we must act.
* US Rep. Jan Schakowsky…
“Unspeakable violence terrorized and devastated Las Vegas last night. I cannot imagine the fear and horror that was experienced by tens of thousands of concertgoers outside of the Mandalay Bay Hotel. My thoughts today are with every victim, anyone injured, all those in attendance, and anyone whose loved ones were affected by this national tragedy.
“Only a year and a few months after the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, our country has a harrowing new record for the worst mass shooting in our history. Back home in Chicago, our city has seen close to 500 people murdered by guns so far in 2017. As a country, we cannot accept this as the new normal. Gun violence is a scourge and an epidemic, and it requires bold legislative action. We cannot continue to make excuses. Federal comprehensive gun safety legislation must be a national priority.”
91 Comments
|
|
Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...
 
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
|
   
|
Hosted by MCS |
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax |
Advertise Here |
Mobile Version |
Contact Rich Miller
|
