Illinois Senate approves sweeping abortion rights bill, sending the plan to Gov. J.B. Pritzker

[DonViejo]

Source: The Chicago Tribune




May 31, 2019, 11:50 p.m.

A bill that establishes a “fundamental right” for women to get an abortion in Illinois cleared the state Senate late Friday night, sending the sweeping measure to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who already has signaled his support.

As the clock approached midnight Friday, the Senate voted 34-20 in favor of the abortion legislation, which comes amid an increased sense of urgency among advocates looking to protect abortion access as a series of states have passed laws essentially banning the practice.

“I believe, frankly, there’s a war against women’s rights going on,” Sen. Melinda Bush, the Grayslake Democrat who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said about the restrictive laws other states have passed.

The bill establishes the “fundamental right” of a women to have an abortion and states that a “fertilized egg, embryo or fetus does not have independent rights.” It repeals the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975, doing away with provisions for spousal consent, waiting periods, criminal penalties for physicians who perform abortions and other restrictions on facilities where abort

Read more: https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-illinois-abortion-legislation-senate-20190531-story.html

[extvbroadcaster]

1. I was born in Illinois

We threw out the GOP governor, got JB in there and things are looking up. Legal weed next. Sadly, we are surrounded by backwater states like Missouri and Indiana. Of course, Indiana hated Pence too, so that is something. Once the election comes I plan on getting on the bus and volunteering for the Democratic nominee, now matter who it is. I will have to go to a neighboring state, but I'll do it. We need ever vote to toss Trump out on his rear.

[mucifer]

3. A lot of us Chicagoans did that in Indiana in '08 to get Barack elected Prez.

[mopinko]

5. indiana, iowa, ohio, wisconsin...

i made several trip to iowa, and one to ohio.
peeps from my hood were all over, too. jan schakowsky filled a lot of busses.

katy hogan, from the heartland, was in ohio for a couple of months. at the time they were selling my buttons in the store, and they were reordering and reordering. found out katy taking them to ohio because swag was so tight. (and that was true. i think i got one button out of my travels.)

yup, doors win elections. those of us in the deep blue will totally hit the road.

[mucifer]

6. Mo we might have gone together for some of those trips :)

[mopinko]

7. did you go to cincinnati w heather steans and 46th ward dems?

that would be the most likely place for our paths to cross. there were 2 busses for that one. i was supposed to be on the A bus, but i got bumped back to the B bus w the black nurses assoc of cook county. it was a blast, and they had some stories.
iirc, the candidate made a speech, and bucked us all up.

my iowa trips were mostly northside dna people, and i drove my art car suburban. small groups.

[mucifer]

8. Didn't go to Cincinnati. Mostly Indiana since I live near downtown Chicago but

I did go to Iowa, too. Wish I met up with the other nurses.

[RussellCattle]

11. Mo and Mu - You did some good back then and I'm sure you'll do it again.

Keep up the good work. Your example will inspire others to get out of their safe districts and travel to less certain outcomes. You've inspired me.

[rurallib]

12. Can't tell you how much we Iowans have appreciated the help from Illinois!

[frazzled]

29. They sent us to Michigan in 08

The Obama campaign sent people according to their Congressional district to either IN, IA, Wi, or MI.

We drove all the way to Jackson Michigan, where a sign as you enter town proclaimed “Birthplace of the Republican Party” and every third house on our list had a foreclosure notice on the door. Met some racists.

After 6 hours of canvassing, we were not feeling very hopeful ... but come November, we won that damned town!

[Wounded Bear]

10. Cold-hearted, maybe, but sounds like a business opportuinity for Illinois doctors...

I foresee some clinics close to the state line.

Not to mention, it is the right thing to do.

[mopinko]

13. the statute says you cant cross state lines w it.

i'm not sayin you are wrong, but this was specifically an issue.
it has been an issue w the states around colorado. they are making bank on fining mj tourists.

i am sure any of the no vote along state lines would be out to get them.

[mucifer]

2. yeah it's been a busy week at the state leg. Legalized recreational MJ, choice, next is legalized

gambling.

Oh and they passed a balanced budget which the previous republican governor couldn't get done.

[OnDoutside]

4. That's great, it's so important people see tangible results.

[DarthDem]

17. Right!

And not so coincidentally, those tangible results - for the good of the people of the state - are being advanced when Democrats control the legislature and the governor's mansion. Funny, that!

[OnDoutside]

23. Well said.

[DarthDem]

24. Cheers!

[roamer65]

9. Michigan will be solid blue after November 2020.

Right now, we are home of the 12 plant pot law.

[AwakeAtLast]

14. Downstate residents are crying loudly

Talk about a bunch of Snowflakes!

[AwakeAtLast]

33. Well, I am a Downstater

But not a Trumpanzee. There are many of them down here and they are getting scary.

[MustLoveBeagles]

34. I'm sorry

I was referring the Trumpanzee downstaters who are complaining. I'm deleting my comment. I realize I was applying to too broad a brush with that statement.

[MineralMan]

15. That's more like it!

[Eugene]

16. Illinois and Nevada approve abortion rights bills that remove long-standing criminal penalties

Source: CNN

Illinois and Nevada approve abortion rights bills that remove long-standing criminal penalties

By Veronica Stracqualursi and Chris Boyette, CNN
Updated 1634 GMT (0034 HKT) June 1, 2019

(CNN) — While a wave of Republican-led states have recently pushed laws restricting abortion, Illinois and Nevada moved legislation forward Friday aimed at protecting access to the procedure.

The Illinois Legislature has sent Senate Bill 25, also called the Reproductive Health Act, to the governor's desk that would protect the "fundamental rights of individuals to make autonomous decisions about one's own reproductive health." The measure passed the Illinois Democratic-led Senate late Friday with a 34-20 vote. Only one Democrat voted against the bill, and Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker has said he will sign the legislation.

Under the bill, pregnant women have the "fundamental right" to have an abortion and a "fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights."

It repeals the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975, which penalized doctors for performing the procedure, and the state's ban on partial-birth abortions. The bill also provides insurance requirements to cover abortion procedures.
"As states across the country pass dangerous laws restricting access to abortion, we in Illinois are standing with women and guaranteeing access to reproductive health care," Democratic state Sen. Melinda Bush, one of the bill's sponsors, said in a statement.

-snip-

Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/01/politics/illinois-nevada-abortion-protections-bill/index.html

[Stuart G]

18. This is what happens when you get a Democratic legislature and a Democratic Governor..

k and r

[Yavin4]

19. This is the kind of thing that can lead to Civil War

If the anti-abortion forces win in their states and in the SCOTUS, then they'll take their energy out on those states where abortion is legal.

They won't be satisfied with state level victories. They have to keep the machine going.

[JI7]

20. how are anti choice states going to take it out on prochoice states ?

[Yavin4]

21. A number of ways

Economic sanctions. Travel restrictions. Ultimately a fight for a federal ban which could get even uglier.

[JI7]

22. the anti choice states are places like alabama

what power do they have over a state like illinois ?

[Jake Stern]

30. Just try the person seeking the abortion with conspiracy

If, God forbid, they ever get back congress and the WH it's only a matter of making it a Federal crime to cross state lines to seek an abortion.

[AlexSFCA]

27. Don't see that, blue states are the economic engine of the US

But, yea, anti-abortion freaks will never stop. Even they somehow banned abortion nationwide, they will then target access to birth control.

[Skittles]

25. fuck the MAGAts

Illinois is doing WHAT IS RIGHT

[Chin music]

26. Hey Illinois!!!! WTF?? WAY TO GO!!!!!

Taking legalization, and people power to the heights these days. MJ legalization and protection for women in abortion rulings.
Breath of fresh air.

[AKing]

28. JB Pritzker has accomplished more in 4 1/2 months than Bruce Rauner did in his whole 4 yr term...

Marijuana has been legalized,gambling will be expanded significantly,and a progressive income tax proposal will be on the ballot in 2020. Finally we have a Governor that understands the need to create new revenue streams.

[nycbos]

32. Proud to work on the Pritzker campaign.