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* UPDATED x3 * More back and forth on HB40

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* Personal PAC press release…

With Roe v. Wade on the verge of being overturned, it is now more important than ever that we have a governor who’s a committed defender of a woman’s right to choose — someone who can be trusted on this issue.

Bruce Rauner has played politics with HB 40 and women’s lives for far too long. One day he is promising pro-choice voters he supports HB 40 and the next day he’s telling anti-choice extremists he’s opposed to HB 40. He lied to me, he lied to Personal PAC, he lied to Jeanne Ives, he lied to the Illinois Family Institute, and then he lied to the Cardinal. That’s quite an accomplishment.

The truth is, if re-elected, Bruce Rauner has proven he can’t be trusted to protect legal abortion in Illinois, unless the voters of Illinois have a written promise—this written promise—that if re-elected he won’t do anything to repeal, diminish or amend HB 40.

With the Supreme Court now on the verge of overturning Roe v. Wade, Bruce Rauner’s refusal to sign this pledge by the June 22nd deadline puts Governor Rauner squarely on the same page with Donald Trump in counting the hours until abortion becomes illegal in Illinois. Prior to Roe, Cook County Hospital had an entire 17 bed ward called the “Septic Abortion Ward” where women were admitted with massive infections, hemorrhaging and dying from botched illegal abortions. That septic abortion ward closed on January 22, 1973 when Roe was decided.

If Governor Rauner does not commit to protecting HB 40, the re-opening of septic abortion wards is Bruce Rauner’s promise to the women of Illinois.

* Greg Hinz…

At a Chicago press conference, a group of Democratic officials and a staunchly pro-choice group allied with Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker called on GOP incumbent Bruce Rauner to publicly pledge not to sign any legislation that “repeals, modifies or in any way diminishes H.B. 40 . . . (and) continue to support H.B. 40 as the law of the state.” […]

With a newly conservative Supreme Court, abortion rights will “suffer death by a thousand cuts,” as lawmakers consider a bill to enact waiting periods, hospital-like medical standards, and spousal approval, said state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, noting that Republicans some day could regain control of the Legislature.

But reporters at the session kept asking whether the call for a public promise wasn’t more about politics than protecting abortion rights, given that Rauner already signed H.B. 40 into law. And if Rauner “has shown his dishonesty” by “lying” to the cardinal and Ives, what use is getting him to sign a statement that would provoke conservatives and that he could walk away from later?

“You do the best you can to make sure,” answered Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago.

* From Will Allison at the Rauner campaign…

Hey, all-

Personal PAC held a press conference this morning about HB40 — a bill that Governor Rauner already signed into law.

Please see this quote from Rauner campaign manager Betsy Ankney:

“Governor Rauner supports a woman’s right to choose and he signed legislation that protects that right in Illinois, regardless of what happens at the federal level. This is pure politics from a group and politicians aligned with Pritzker seeking to scare women. Democrats need to stop playing politics with this critical issue.”

NOTE: JB Pritzker has donated $407,200 to Personal PAC.

Additionally, many of those who attended the press conference this morning praised Governor Rauner last year when he signed the bill into law.

Heather Steans: “I am thrilled that the governor decided to honor his commitment and protect women’s reproductive rights in Illinois by signing House Bill 40.”

Sara Feigenholtz: “I am grateful that Governor Rauner has finally realized how important this legislation is to women in the current political climate. Governor Rauner has decided to stick to his original promise, and his decision will help ensure women continue to have access to all reproductive care.”

Kelly Cassidy: Chicago Sun-Times Interview
QUESTION: Please list three of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s principles, or decisions he has made, with which you agree. Also please list three of the governor’s principles, or decisions he has made, with which you disagree.

ANSWER: “I agree with the Governor’s eventual stance on HB40, some aspects of criminal justice reform, and the TRUST act. He kept his campaign promise to keep abortion services legal and accessible in Illinois, which is a deeply personal issue for me.”

* Cosgrove’s response to reporters…

With all due respect to the questions about the need for the pledge to protect HB 40, you could easily answer the question of whether Governor Rauner would veto any bill that comes to his desk which would repeal, modify or in any way diminish HB 40 by simply asking him to reply “yes” or “no” to that question. I anxiously await your asking him and hearing his answer to that very simple question.

*** UPDATE 1 *** I didn’t see the governor’s quote in the Sun-Times…

Rauner, too, accused Democrats of “trying to play politics with this issue.”

“I want to make clear that I signed legislation here in the state of Illinois so that women’s reproductive rights are protected regardless of what happens at the federal level,” the governor said.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Pritzker campaign…

In a tweet last night, Bruce Rauner hailed Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, calling for a “fair hearing and swift vote.”

Rauner applauded the nomination despite troubling threats to women’s rights, affordable healthcare, and Kavanaugh’s expressed opinion that a sitting president is above criminal prosecution. The praise comes as Rauner refused to sign a pledge guaranteeing a woman’s right to choose, claimed pro-choice groups were “seeking to scare women” with the pledge, and has bragged about being the “strongest supporter” of anti-choice candidates.

“Donald Trump is remaking the court in his own image and leading an all-out assault on affordable healthcare, basic rights for women, and the rule of law as Bruce Rauner cheers him on,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Illinoisans can’t afford to have a failed governor who puts politics before people and joins in on Trump’s attacks on fundamental rights.”

*** UPDATE 3 *** Illinois News Network…

Illinois taxpayers paid for nearly four times more abortions in the first six months of 2018 than the year before and one state lawmakers expects the total number to eventually be much larger.

Records of the number of abortion reimbursement requests Illinois News Network obtained through an open records request from the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services showed 84 abortions from January to June last year. The same time period this year, there were 314 abortions.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:00 pm

Comments

Where is GovJunk on the law suit filed against HB40? Is he actively defendin’

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:06 pm
Rauner won’t say a word about this.

Not one word.

The fact that he’s tweeting about Kavanaugh pretty much says exactly what Rauner won’t say. I mean, dude will flip flop on HB40 whenever it’s politically convenient.

Which, I suspect, will be soon.

Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:07 pm
Sheesh, did Personal PAC forget who signed the bill?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:08 pm
==You do the best you can to make sure,” answered Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago.==

Unreal.

Comment by Chris Widger Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:10 pm
Sheesh, did Personal PAC forget who signed the bill?

-Sheesh, did you forget Rauner supports a potential Supreme Court judge that could overturn that bill?

Comment by Real Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:13 pm
Rauner signing clean HB40 should be “enough”, there shouldn’t be a question… but why is there?

The lazy answer, of course, is “Cosgrove and Co want to make this a double edge for Rauner”, which is true, but here’s where the lazy comes into play.

‘Nember when Bruce said, after signing HB40, how there’s no bigger supporter (words to that effect) of pro-life candidates than he?

Rauner knew, fibbing to a Catholic Cardinal so Diana can save face wasn’t the best thing with GOP Conservatives, especially and specifically the pro-life GOP.

This confusion, if you will, is of Rauner’s making, trying to confuse both sides so neither can say he’s against them, but using the signature (like all governors do) as his statement, with that “I support pro-life candidates” as a statement too.

So…you get things like this.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:14 pm
Once again the sky is falling in their minds. Even if Roe was overturned, the issue would revert to the state (where it should be anyway) so nothing would change as far as Il law is concerned.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:17 pm
“With Roe v. Wade on the verge of being overturned, it is now more important than ever that we have a governor who’s a committed defender of a woman’s right to choose — someone who can be trusted on this issue”

On the verge is another over exaggeration from Democrats to outrage their base. Since they have not had any new ideas to advance in the last 50 years they have to keep ginning up fear based on exaggerated and even manufactured outrage. This is their way, once again, to ignite the base for the election. Too bad they can’t base it on facts alone.

Comment by SOIL M Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:19 pm
===Sheesh, did you forget Rauner supports a potential Supreme Court judge that could overturn that bill?===

You should do your research on the bill.

Comment by People Over Parties Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:20 pm
It seems that Rauner fears Cosgrove, Personal Pac, and suburban women more than anything in this campaign. I mean he caved and turned on his base to appease Personal Pac lol. I think this issue can be used to defeat Rauner. He fears Personal Pac.

Comment by Real Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:21 pm
Rauner will sweat if Personal Pac runs some ad’s on him and Trump. That will make Rauner more likely to denounce that Supreme court nominee. Not that Rauner has a firm position himself on this issue. He just goes with whatever is politically convient to get another term.

Comment by Real Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:36 pm
===that could overturn that bill===

Unless the court outlaws all or most abortions, the bill preserves current law. And it’s highly doubtful that the court will do more than say it’s up to the states.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:39 pm
===It seems that Rauner fears Cosgrove, Personal Pac, and suburban women more than anything in this campaign. I mean he caved and turned on his base to appease Personal Pac===

Couple things of note;

* Diana and the questionnaire required Bruce to sign HB40, as it would’ve caused personal embarrassment to Diana and the “Bruce has no social agenda” vouch.

* Purposely misleading Blase Cardinal Cupich was an unforced error, and caused the most damage to the Rauner brand on choice, outside the signature itself.

* Phonies like Mr. Breen are already compromising and supporting the governor, as their righteous indignation turned out to be phony bloviating, so the gamble to sign clean paid off. Rauner bet Breen was a phony and bet right.

* Rauner will play up, with suburban women, the HB40 signature, and in the end, no matter how Cosgrove and Co go after Bruce, can’t deny a signature. Need more nuance.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:41 pm
So glad everything in Illinois is so great we have the luxury of deciding who our governor is based on how he feels about a Supreme Court nominee. And BTW: Who is exactly in this mythological General Assembly that will pass any legislation to restrict abortion in the slightest? If anyone on the left has cause to be seriously concerned about this happening, they have bigger problems than Bruce Rauner’s perfidy.

Comment by JB13 Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:42 pm
The whole point of this was to get Rauner to insist, once again, that he’s pro-choice. He has, and oh, look at Proft’s latest tweet.

Some wounds just won’t heal.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 2:42 pm
I got an order of pork rinds says Roe v Wade never gets overturned.

Comment by BlueDogDem Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 3:02 pm
“With Roe v. Wade on the verge of being overturned….” when a statement starts off with such utter hyperbole, a lie in fact, I stop reading immediately.

Statements like that are made by people who think they are WAY smarter than you.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 3:07 pm
Might be instructive to review how this whole 3 branches of government works.

The bill got to his desk. He signed it.

There’s no bill to undo it anywhere in the considerable future. Only the legislature can take any action to change what now “is”.

So the question of what he would sign or not sign, or re-commit to, is a completely political one. And a dumb one at that.

We’re not “on the verge” of anything, as I understand the terminology “on the verge”.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 3:17 pm
The article about there being more abortions now says the expense has gone from 15k to about 25k. I get the principle of the thing but to say that, rounding up, $30,000 is going to bankrupt the state, which is what I have heard from some people talking about HB40, is more than a little insane. Also, can we talk about those provider charges? They charged $426,000 and got paid $24,000? I know providers jack up their prices just because all the time, but how is that sustainable?

Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 3:28 pm
Typical Dem BS the sky is falling. Whenever an R president nominates a S CT Justice the Dems claim Roe is doomed. Well 5 justices added since 82 and Roe hasn’t been reversed. It won’t work this time either

Comment by Sue Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 3:35 pm
==Whenever an R president nominates a S CT Justice the Dems claim Roe is doomed.==

Whenever an R runs for President they promise to appoint Justices who will overturn Roe. Is your position, “Don’t worry, all is well, the Republicans are lying to you”?

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 4:09 pm
Donald Trump, in the third Presidential Debate:

“If we put another two or perhaps three justices on, that will happen. And that will happen automatically, in my opinion, because I am putting pro-life justices on the court.”

So was he lying, then? Do you want to be the one to tell pro-life voters that?

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 4:10 pm
Nationally, I think this SCOTUS vacancy is a huge win for the GOP. In Illinois, Rauners’pursuit of that elusive suburban independent woman vote has doomed his reelection chances.

Comment by BlueDogDem Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 4:11 pm
the only people who don’t think the sky is falling or that Roe is on the way to being overturned are anti choicers. Pro choice folks know that reproductive rights are in danger. when you hear actual news sources stating that the right wing is looking at contraception issues, you know action is warranted. we need a governor like Cuomo who signed an Executive order protecting reproductive choice. which means we don’t need Rauner.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 4:18 pm
Illinois conservatives must be pulling their hair out over this Gov race. Do they vote for the pro-abortion Rauner or the pro-union McCann?

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 5:15 pm
===I got an order of pork rinds says Roe v Wade never gets overturned.=== I’ll take that bet. Kavanaugh will be confirmed. And Roe will be overturned in the next 10 years. 5 years if Ginsburg can’t hold on. And for the record, I’m not exactly thrilled about that.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 5:58 pm
I don’t think if Kavanaugh is confirmed the result will be that Roe will be overturned. However the Democrats or anyone else in Illinois have every reason to question Rauner’s sincerity on this issue. For those out there who haven’t paid any attention these past 3 pus years Bruce Rauner lies a lot and he lied to a lot of people on HB40.

Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 6:06 pm
Cosgrove is multitasking. He’s feeding his base, keeping Rauner spinning in the wind, and pumping up McCann’s chances.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 6:15 pm
–So the question of what he would sign or not sign, or re-commit to, is a completely political one. And a dumb one at that.–

Uh huh. Because Rauner is bedrock in his principles and his word is his bond.

You were one of those guys howling how he lied and burned anti-abortion supporters when he signed it.

Quite a debate going on in your mind.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 6:16 pm
I think Rowe will be overturned, but it forces us to correctly resolve this complicated human rights issue. The Decision as it currently exists, isn’t based upon recognized constitutional rights.

So it needs to be fixed.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 6:25 pm
–The Decision as it currently exists, isn’t based upon recognized constitutional rights.–

Huh? The 7-2 Supreme Court majority opinion recognized a Constitutional right to privacy under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.

Like all rights under the Constitution, it is not unlimited.

For you kids at home keeping score, the majority was comprised of: Blackmun, Burger and Powell (Nixon); Marshall (LBJ); Brennan and Stewart (Eisenhower); and Douglas (FDR).

As you may have noticed five of the seven justices in that majority opinion 35 years ago were appointed by those old commie Bolshies, Nixon and Eisenhower. Times have changed.

The two dissenters were White (JFK) and Rehnquist (Nixon).

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 6:50 pm
Ducky. Your on
17th street. Murphy. I’ll leave a $50 with one of my kids with instructions on how to get hold of you.

Comment by BlueDogDem Tuesday, Jul 10, 18 @ 8:02 pm