THE ILLINOIZE: Thursday Free for All...Harris considering Pritzker...More calls for "Karina's Bill"...How to combat birth mortality rates
July 25, 2024
Good morning from Springfield.
I’m here this morning for some things with WMAY ahead of the launch of our new morning show Monday.
We’ll have a very Pritzker-centric podcast for paid subscribers this morning and everyone else later today or tomorrow. Now is a good time to join us!
Speaking of the Governor, he'll meet with reporters for the first time since the whole Veep thing broke. He’ll be at a Secret Service briefing on the DNC at 11:30 and announces a new business investment in the state at 1.
Let’s get to it.
YOUR THURSDAY FREE FOR ALL
(note: we’re not responsible for paywalls and restrictions from other news outlets, because good journalism isn’t free)
Kamala Harris campaign considering J.B. Pritzker for vice presidential candidate (Chicago Sun-Times)
Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign called Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday to gauge his interest in running for vice president, the first indication that the Illinois governor is on the shortlist of Democrats under consideration to join the ticket.
Pritzker spoke with the Harris campaign about the role, according to a source with knowledge of the process.
Appearing on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper” on Wednesday afternoon, Pritzker was asked whether he is being considered as Harris’ running mate, and the governor responded that he was unable to comment on “private conversations.”
Asked by Tapper if he would accept the No. 2 slot on the ticket if it was offered, Pritzker replied, “Well, I think you know, I love being governor of Illinois.
“The people of Illinois graced me with that title for the last two elections. And, you know, I’d be reluctant to make a change, but it’d be hard to resist a call and consideration if the nominee called me to ask to be considered for vice president.”
A Pritzker spokeswoman on Wednesday said, “the governor’s comment speaks for itself.”
On Tuesday, Pritzker said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that he had not been asked for vetting materials.
“I love being the governor of the State of Illinois, and I’ve been out on the campaign trail fighting hard for Democrats to win. ... I’m very interested in making sure that Kamala Harris becomes the next president of the United States,” Pritzker said on Tuesday.
Hours later, Pritzker told CNN’s Erin Burnett “obviously you’d have to consider it if you’re asked.”
Consideration for vice president comes after days of jockeying by Pritzker, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and others.
Pritzker, who has presidential ambitions, did not aspire to be a vice president — but became open to the possibility after the vice president announced her run at the top of the ticket. The Democratic governor, despite months of campaigning for President Joe Biden and appearing on national television, has still struggled to raise his profile outside of Illinois, according to polls.
Related: Kamala Harris’ Illinois backers turn attention to building an organization (Chicago Tribune)
Chicago's donor class opens its pockets for Harris (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Suburban delegates lining up behind Harris (Daily Herald)
Opinion: Non-denial denials to contrary, Pritzker hungry to be Harris' running mate (Champaign News-Gazette)
Domestic violence deaths spiked 110% in Illinois last year, adding to calls for passage of Karina’s Bill (WBEZ)
Domestic violence deaths rose by 110% across the state last year, according to a coalition of advocacy groups who said the sharp spike is a somber reminder of why lawmakers must crack down on abusers who own guns.
“This increase really shows that we have to step up our efforts here in Illinois to reduce these preventable homicides,” said Vickie Smith, former executive director and consultant for the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “Because if they’re increasing that much just over one year, then what are we looking at over the next few years?”
The new numbers are contained in the coalition’s annual report on domestic violence, which is typically released in October. Smith said the findings were so alarming, the coalition decided to publish them earlier in hopes of prompting action on stalled legislation in Springfield.
“We’re very disturbed,” Smith said. “The numbers have gone up and down somewhat since we’ve been doing this, but never this dramatic of an increase. We felt like it was really important to get this out earlier rather than later.”
The coalition found there were 94 incidents of domestic violence that led to 120 deaths in 2023. That’s a 110% increase from 2022, when 45 incidents of domestic violence and 57 deaths were reported.
Of the 120 deaths reported last year, 107 of them were homicides, and 13 were suicides by the alleged abuser. About half of those killed were intimate partners of the attackers. Others included relatives or children.
“What that says is that if somebody has decided that they’re going to use some means to take out their partner or ex-partner, a lot of other people are also in danger,” Smith said. “Whoever else is around that person has the potential to be harmed as well.”
A firearm was used in 68% of the 120 deaths, the report found. In 2022, firearms were used in 49% of the deaths.
“Access to guns is always an issue,” Smith said. “If there’s any domestic violence occurring, whether it’s physical violence or emotional violence or financial exploitation, and there are guns, there’s always a potential for a domestic violence homicide.”
Here are 2 ways Illinois is trying to combat maternal mortality rates (State Journal-Register)
Illinois is now taking steps to combat maternal mortality rates by offering financial help and creating access for women to receive their health care.
Women have always been at risk during pregnancy, and according to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, women of color, specifically Black women are twice as likely to die from pregnancy related conditions and three times as likely to die from pregnancy related medical conditions than white women.
Substance use disorders made up 32% of pregnancy related deaths making it the leading cause, followed by cardiac and coronary conditions, pre-existing chronic conditions, sepsis, mental health conditions and embolism. The Maternal Mortality Review Committee determined that 91% of pregnancy-related deaths were potentially preventable due to clinical, social, community, system and patient factors.
Debra Tisckos, the director of maternal child health services at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health said that the rates of maternal mortality were high due to lack of prenatal and postnatal care, plus lack of education and access to proper care.
Things like hypertension, diabetes and just lack of prenatal and postnatal care are contributing factors,” Tisckos said in April during an interview with The State Journal-Register. “There needs to be more education out there on getting these things done, and more support and help for women that don’t know.”
Broken down at the county-level, the state health department found Sangamon County to be one 19 counties with maternal hypertension percent of 15% or higher. It was also one of 14 counties with maternal diabetes percent of 11% or higher and one of 19 counties with a maternal mental health condition recorded for 16% or more of their live births.
TOP STORIES SO FAR THIS WEEK ON THEILLINOIZE.COM
POLITICAL POTPOURRI
Chicago expands its Glock lawsuit, naming 2 area gun stores (Chicago Sun-Times)
Illinois lawmaker calls for strengthening protection for homeschooled children (Capitol News Illinois)
Massey family meets with Pritzker; DOJ opens investigation into fatal shooting (State Journal-Register)
As rare black bear sightings spark excitement in southern Illinois, IDNR says keep a safe distance (Capitol News Illinois)
JOIN US