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* Zorn…
The bills that comprise the Reproductive Health Act are just the sort of counterpunch that demonstrators and other concerned citizens are demanding. Yet despite the national uproar, the proposals are still languishing in committees with a little more than a week to go until the end of this legislative session. And Pritzker, who campaigned as a champion for choice, has stayed on the sidelines.
The proposals underscore women’s rights to make “autonomous decisions” about whether to remain pregnant. They repeal the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995 that requires minors to inform a parent or legal guardian or get a waiver from a judge before having an abortion. They lift restrictions on late-term abortions and require private insurance plans to cover abortion services.
And, as chief House co-sponsor Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, emphasized to me in an interview Tuesday, the measures repeal dormant statutory provisions calling for criminal penalties against abortion doctors and allowing localities to effectively ban abortion clinics by imposing medically unnecessary requirements on them.
“Those laws were passed long ago and then blocked by the courts,” Cassidy said. “But they didn’t go away. They’re still on the books. An adverse federal court ruling could reinstate them immediately.”
In early March, opponents blasted the Reproductive Health Act as “extreme” for turning access to abortion into “a positive good in Illinois law.”
That was before the nation saw repeated examples of what extremism on abortion really looks like, and before we took the full measure of the harsh intentions of abortion’s most determined foes.
* Capitol News Illinois…
Senate Bill 1966 was advanced to the full House on Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee on a vote along party lines. Sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Willis, an Addison Democrat, an amendment to the bill would require new FOID card holders and those renewing their license to provide a fingerprint. It also would increase application fees from $10 to $50, and reduce the time a license is valid from 10 years to five years.
Willis said the purpose of the bill is to “keep up” with FOID revocations and create better communication between local and state law enforcement agencies.
“One of the reasons that we saw that revocations were not followed up as best as they could was because there was no money in resources to be able to do that,” Willis said.
State Police Lt. John Thompson testified Tuesday about the challenges his agency faces with the limited funds it receives for FOID revocation enforcement.
He said the fee of $10 for 10 years isn’t enough to sustain the nearly 1,000 applications the department receives daily.
* More…
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst asked Willis if she had concerns about the state managing a database with millions of gun owners’ fingerprints.
“I think it makes the state safer, in all honesty,” Willis said.
“Would you support mandatory fingerprinting for all citizens in Illinois?” Windhorst asked.
“If it makes the state safer, yeah,” Willis replied.
State Rep. Art Turner, D-Chicago, raised concerns about FOID fee essentially going from $10 for 10 years to $100 for the same amount of time.
“You could make a criminal out of a person who doesn’t get it renewed if they can’t afford the price at the time,” Turner said. “That’s a light bill. That’s groceries.”
* Other stuff…
* SIU Board could soon be among most student-dominated in higher education: Legislation introduced by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, to give votes to both student members on the SIU Board of Trustees — one from the Carbondale campus, one from SIU Edwardsville — is on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk after clearing the House and Senate, Stuart announced Monday.
* Illinois House OKs bills regulating drivers’ headlight modifications and digital activities
* Airport tenants could be prosecuted for delinquent taxes
* Illinois Charter School Battles Coming To A Head As Bill Advances
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 11:50 am
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That’s the first time I’ve heard the phrase “a women’s right…to remain pregnant.” Dumbing down language is dumbing down the argument. If you can’t discuss what is really happening, your argument needs to be rethought.
Comment by Hal Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 11:58 am
Art Turner is worried about someone who purchased a firearm, a voluntary choice which can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, not being able to afford a $100 FOID fee?
Here’s an idea - if you need that $100 to keep the lights on, maybe don’t go buy a gun?
Comment by PJ Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:12 pm
PJ-the bigger issue is having to get fingerprinted just to own a gun, ridiculous and punitive.
Comment by Sylvester Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:18 pm
If we could require a Voter’s ID Card that cost $50 for 5 years and had a $35 background check and put an additional $75 fingerprint fee on the would-be voter, we could prevent dangerous voters from electing dangerous representatives like Willis.
Comment by Shall not be infringed Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:22 pm
Wow, so much to comment. Rep. Willis should read the constitution a little more and consider privacy rights. Abortion issue isn’t going away and those who see the fetus as a person, which biologically it is, are fighting for a person’s life. That’s a powerful motivation.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:23 pm
==Here’s an idea - if you need that $100 to keep the lights on, maybe don’t go buy a gun?==
$10 a year. When I spend $10 at the grocery I’m running in to get a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:23 pm
PJ - firearms are available at a variety of price points; in some cases they can be gifts or inherited.
There are a heck of a lot of scenarios that Art’s point may be very applicable - but that doesn’t fit your preconceived narrative, so let’s ignore those.
Comment by State of DenIL Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:23 pm
>>>> not being able to afford a $100 FOID fee?
$100 book-owning license
$100 voter’s ID
$100 poll tax
$100 religion permit
The poll tax was already found unconstitutional.
Don’t worry, gentle readers, the FOID’s day in court is coming, with or without Willis’ bill.
Comment by Shall not be infringed Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:27 pm
When it comes to the Reproductive Health Act, there needs to be an uber-left, costal, limousine liberal governor on the social issues…
… but Bruce Rauner lost.
To the Reproductive Health Act,
I kinda put these bills in a thought of this session seems to be about “big” things to budget, infrastructure, and taxes, while some social and important issues aren’t languishing, but in the jet wash… waiting.
The days are waning. These are days where will and timing are more a measure in the pushes than any other time.
I’ll be watching to see how the navigation goes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:29 pm
i have to pass 10 year back ground check and finger print to get my job…
also we use finger print for time clock and door access..
Comment by JON R Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:30 pm
FOID is a good program that needs enforcement. There are some individuals for whom the FOID fee can never be high enough nor restrictive enough - because they just want firearm ownership to end full sail.
My feelings are that what we need is to better enforce the existing law. Maybe fees should go up to pay for this - but let’s have an honest discussion focused on that, not crazed fantasies of wild west gunfights nor of second amendment abolishment. There is room here to uphold the second amendment and to better protect Illinoisans. We can do both.
Comment by State of DenIL Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:33 pm
It’s not about just the $100. It’s actually $250 when you factor in fingerprint and background fees. What’s more convoluted is that if you are ever impacted to relinquish your FOID, you cannot transfer the firearm to a member of your household. What if you have no other family in the state? What’s more, every firearm transfer has to go through a dealer.
This dealer transfer at face value is not horrible as a paper trail is created. However, there was talk of requiring (by law) the dealer to do the transfer for $10. Most dealers won’t want the responsibility that comes with this process to do it for $10. The paperwork - in case you don’t know - must be retained for the life of the business and transferred to the BATFE upon closure of the business.
As another stated above, the FOID is going to get its day in court soon, here’s hoping it just goes away.
Comment by Just A Guy Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:37 pm
===PJ-the bigger issue is having to get fingerprinted just to own a gun, ridiculous and punitive.===
Many people have to pay $50 or more to get fingerprinted for the chance to work at a school or in another industry. IMHO, if you wish to own a gun, pay the fee - it’s the least you can do for society.
Comment by Interim Retiree Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:38 pm
Again, it has nothing to do with the fee, I will not be fingerprinted to exercise a constitutional right.
Comment by Sylvester Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:43 pm
=== SIU Board could soon be among most student-dominated in higher education ===
Who writes these headlines? How does giving students 2 of 9 votes on a board make that board “student-dominated”?
Comment by lincoln's beard Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:48 pm
==I will not be fingerprinted to exercise a constitutional right==
I take it you’ll also yell “Fire” in a crowded theatre and arrange a protest on Michigan Avenue during rush hour because, you know, rights?
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:53 pm
Interesting that Halpin (Rock Island) and Hoffman ( Belleville) both Dems from gun friendly districts happened to miss that Judiciary committee vote.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/101/house/committeevotes/10100SB1966_26417.pdf
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 12:59 pm
–Wow, so much to comment. Rep. Willis should read the constitution a little more and consider privacy rights.–
Yet you didn’t say anything.
Please go on about the Constitution and privacy rights regarding SB1966.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:00 pm
==IMHO, if you wish to own a gun, pay the fee - it’s the least you can do for society.==
The argument being batted around is that ANY fee involved in gun registration is the 2A equivalent of a poll tax, a barrier to gun ownership and therefore unConstitutional (the language of “well-regulated” notwithstanding).
Comment by yinn Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:01 pm
If the GA is going to pass a cost (tax) down to exercise a 2nd amendment right, they should also pass the cost (tax) down in order to vote. There shouldn’t be a cost (tax) to exercise our rights. If this is the road we are going to go down, then let’s start taxing people exercising their 1st amendment rights protesting, blocking traffic and roads, and inconveniencing people just trying to get to or from work, or where they are going.
Comment by Stas Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:06 pm
==There are a heck of a lot of scenarios that Art’s point may be very applicable==
So just to be clear, we’re now legislating to ensure that impoverished people who are given a gun for Christmas can save the $90 on the registration fee? If you can’t afford $100 for a 10 year card, don’t own a gun. Or you can have the person who gifted you a gun (instead of food, which may have helped since you can’t afford $100) can pony up for the fee too.
==I will not be fingerprinted to exercise a constitutional right==
The right to own a firearm is no freer from regulation than any other constitutional right. As someone mentioned above, free speech won’t stop the government from prosecuting you for yelling fire in a theater. If the legislature mandates fingerprints (maybe you’ve noticed the scourge of convicted felons with legally purchased guns in America?), you will absolutely be fingerprinted. Or you can join one of those fun separatist movements with the cool “come and take mah gunz!!” bumper stickers.
Comment by PJ Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:07 pm
–then let’s start taxing people exercising their 1st amendment rights protesting, –
Yeah, that’s been going on for a while. Ever heard of a rally permit?
And the documents you need to register to vote are not all free, either.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:10 pm
===Ever heard of a rally permit?===
Lobbyist registration ain’t cheap.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:19 pm
Here’s comes rich, sensoring all of the pro gun people.
Comment by Sylvester Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:25 pm
– sensoring all of the pro gun people.–
Sensoring? Is he inserting a chip in your noggin or something?
Censorsing is something gubmints do.
You don’t have a Constitutional right to a private platform. I doubt NRATV would allow me my own show.
Check with your local TV and radio stations, newspapers, etc. as to whether you can just hop in anytime.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:33 pm
==Don’t worry, gentle readers, the FOID’s day in court is coming,==
FOID had its day in court over a decade ago. District of Columbia v. Heller, Scalia writing for the majority wrote: “Although we do not undertake an exhaustive historical analysis today of the full scope of the Second Amendment , nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms.”
FOID and yes, fingerprinting, are qualifications.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:34 pm
Hal -
The right to privacy is a Double-edge sword.
If the government can prohibit a woman from having an abortion, it can also force a woman to have an abortion.
In the first half of the 20th century, states sterilized 80,000 people, mostly women.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:36 pm
>>>>FOID had its day in court over a decade ago. District of Columbia v. Heller
SCOTUS did not rule on FOID, it did not rule on fingerprinting, it made a narrow ruling, as it always does. This usually results in biblical-commentary-type arguments used by each to prove what they want it to prove.*
DC v Heller ruled that the US Government cannot have a blanket law that forbids one from owning a firearm/handgun in their own home. It took McDonald v Chicago to extend that to be a protection from state and local governments too.
*For 70 years anti-gunners used US v Miller as “proof” that there was no individual right to keep and bear arms.
Comment by Shall not be infringed Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 1:56 pm
The right to privacy is a Double-edge sword.
>>>If the government can prohibit a woman from having an abortion, it can also force a woman to have an abortion.
In the first half of the 20th century, states sterilized 80,000 people, mostly women.
Comment by Hal Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 2:05 pm
Abortion is going to stay legal in Illinois. It’s very accessible. No need to legalize it until the 9th month of pregnancy and to hide it from parents of a minor by passing this abortion language. Let’s not let Illinois be like New York or Virginia - an extreme abortion talking point on national news for the next 18 months.
Comment by Chris Iverson Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 3:37 pm
Sylvester, Rich only censors over the top comments. And Rich even gave a shout-out once to my relatives’ (by marriage) gun range.
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 4:34 pm
“State Rep. Art Turner, D-Chicago, raised concerns about FOID fee essentially going from $10 for 10 years to $100 for the same amount of time.“You could make a criminal out of a person who doesn’t get it renewed if they can’t afford the price at the time,” Turner said. “That’s a light bill. That’s groceries.”
Rep. Art Turner is one of the good guys. He listened to concerns about Duty to Inform that (former) NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde placed in (former) Rep. Brandon Phelps concealed carry bill in 2013. He understands how these firearm owner restrictions fall more heavily on the black community in Chicago and Cook County, which ISRA and NRA constantly sell out.
Small town types like Richard Pearson from ISRA and Valinda Rowe from Illinois Carry got into bed with the police unions in Phelps carry bill and fell all over themselves to give the cops everything they wanted. Now the gun hicks reap what they sowed.
Comment by Elmer Keith Wednesday, May 22, 19 @ 5:24 pm
Why did you delete my comment on the abortion Bills. There was nothing profane there. Just telling the truth of what those Bills say. You cant take the truth.
Comment by Mary Margaret Thursday, May 23, 19 @ 5:24 am
==Why did you delete my comment on the abortion Bills.==
Sometimes comments get deleted. You’re not the only one. If your comment was a work of art take a screenshot. Otherwise, there is always another opportunity to comment later.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, May 23, 19 @ 8:19 am