THE ILLINOIZE: Monday Free for All...Mr. Pritzker goes to Switzerland...Will gun ban be struck down?...Abortion expansion bill signed
January 16, 2023
Good morning, Illinois.
Today is the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday. State offices are closed.
The legislature is out and the Governor is in Europe, so hopefully its a little slow this week. If so, you may see our e-mails throughout the week a little shorter than usual.
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Let’s get to it.
YOUR MONDAY FREE FOR ALL
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Pritzker heading to World Economic Forum at Davos (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Fresh off his inauguration for his second term and key legislative wins, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is heading to Europe next week as part of a bipartisan delegation of U.S. politicians attending the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland.
Pritzker is one of three governors, alongside Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Republican Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, who are listed as attending so far, an interesting trio as all three have been mentioned as potential presidential candidates in 2024 should President Joe Biden choose not to run for re-election.
Pritzker will start his visit as a speaker on a panel titled "America (Un)Bound" on Tues., Jan. 17.
The description reads, "What can we expect from a reshaped legislative landscape in the United States as it relates to domestic and foreign policy?"
The Illinois contingent will include First Lady of Illinois MK Pritzker as well as Chief of Staff Anne Caprara, Deputy Governor Andy Manar, and Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell.
Greenpeace, by the way, has made a stink about the number of private jets that fly into the event. I’ve asked the Governor’s office if Pritzker and his entourage flew private or commercial (and who’s paying for it). Don’t hold your breath for them to respond. FOIA incoming.
Illinois’ sweeping firearms ban certain to end up in court, and some experts doubt it will stand (Chicago Tribune)
In his closing remarks before a vote on a sweeping firearms ban, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon pushed back at critics who contended the prohibitions would violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The Oak Park Democrat concluded with a message for Republican lawmakers and other opponents of the measure, which was passed in response to the deadly mass shooting at Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade: “We’ll see you in court.”
When Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the measure into law Tuesday after the Democratic-controlled House gave its approval, Illinois became the ninth state to ban so-called assault weapons, winning praise from President Joe Biden. It also set up inevitable legal challenges from gun rights advocates that could take years for the courts to resolve.
In a letter Tuesday to Pritzker, Harmon and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch of Hillside, Richard Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association, responded directly to the Senate president’s remarks, writing: “Challenge accepted.”
While no lawsuit has yet been filed, experts on gun legislation and constitutional law said the new restrictions face a murky legal future, particularly in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision striking down New York state’s concealed carry law.
“It’s clear that the courts are becoming more hostile to gun safety regulations,” said Adam Winkler, a UCLA School of Law professor and author of the book “Gun Fight: The Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms in America.” “The law (in Illinois) is going to be challenged, and there is a good chance it will be overturned.”
Pritzker, who noted he’s also a lawyer, said he was “very confident” the law would withstand legal scrutiny.
“The law here that we now have enacted is constitutional,” Pritzker told reporters after signing the measure late Tuesday. “There was a lot of thought that went into it to make sure that it would be.”
Related: Why Illinois’ new assault weapons ban might not hold up in court (Chicago Sun-Times)
Sheriffs say they want no role in enforcing state’s assault weapon registry (Capitol News Illinois)
Several Illinois sheriffs claim assault weapons ban violates constitutional right to bear arms (ABC 7)
Sheriffs draw lines at what they will -- and will not -- enforce with new weapons law (Daily Herald)
Will County sheriff says Illinois semiautomatic weapons ban ‘may infringe on the constitutional rights’ (Shaw Media)
Champaign Co. Sheriff: “I don’t believe it is my place to rule on the constitutionality of any law.” (Champaign News-Gazette)
Kendall County State’s Attorney calls assault weapons ban unconstitutional (Shaw Media)
La Salle County state’s attorney: I won’t enforce the new gun law, either (Shaw Media)
DeKalb County Board chair ‘dismayed’ at sheriff’s plan to not enforce gun registration law (Shaw Media)
Lake County sheriff responds to racist comments in wake of his stance on weapons ban (Daily Herald)
State Sen. Chesney backs sheriffs’ stance on gun law (Shaw Media)
Editorial: Legal, not personal, opinions will resolve gun law question (Champaign News-Gazette)
Opinion: County sheriffs’ job is to enforce law, not interpret it (Shaw Media)
Pritzker signs an abortion law protecting Illinois providers and out-of-state patients (WBEZ)
Bolstering Illinois as a midwestern haven for patients seeking abortions, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed legislation that would insulate providers and out-of-state patients from legal attacks for the procedures performed here.
The measure also requires health insurers to provide coverage, with no copays, for gender-affirming hormone medications, abortion-inducing drugs and medicine aimed to safeguard against HIV transmission before and after possible exposure.
Before signing the legislation Friday, Pritzker described it as “a monumental new law that further protects patients and providers who seek and deliver legal and safe reproductive health care in Illinois.”
“Here in Illinois, we know that reproductive care is health care,” the governor said. “A medical decision should be made between a patient and their health care provider. No one else. Every single person regardless of gender, sexuality, race and economic status has the right to privacy and bodily autonomy.
“And when people come to Illinois to exercise those rights, they will be welcomed and protected,” he said. “That’s what this historic bill stands for.”
Related: Pritzker signs law safeguarding abortion protections in Illinois amid surge in out-of-state patients (Chicago Tribune)
POLITICAL POTPOURRI
Jehan Gordon-Booth makes history with new title in state legislature (Peoria Journal-Star)
Illinois auto dealers file appeal after judge dismissed lawsuit challenging direct-to-consumer EV sales (Chicago Tribune)
How Alexi Giannoulias hopes to shorten your wait at the DMV (Bloomington Pantagraph)
Illinois Gaming Board OKs gaming license for clout-heavy lawyer James J. Banks in an about-face (Chicago Sun-Times)
Bill guaranteeing workers five days of paid leave will head to governor (Capitol News Illinois)
Rodney Davis has a new job (Bloomington Pantagraph)
Opinion: ComEd profited from meeting Madigan's many demands (Champaign News-Gazette)
SOME OF OUR TOP LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
Outgoing GOP Leader Durkin: Republican Party Has "Lost its Way"
Pritzker Lays Out Agenda of Free College, Preschool, Child Care in Second Term
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