THE ILLINOIZE: Thursday Free for All...More abortion bills signed...ID cards for parolees...Pritzker calls on Sangamon Co. Sheriff to resign
August 8, 2024
Good morning, Illinois.
Ladies and gentlemen…behold…the greatest thing each August in Illinois: Butter Cow Cam.
Happy State Fair Day. Ribbon cutting is at 10. Twilight Parade is at 5:30. Political days are next Wednesday and Thursday (more on those soon).
Governor Pritzker is at the State Fair today. He cuts the ribbon at the main gate at 10, cuts the ribbon at Conservation World at 11:15, and speaks at the County Fair Luncheon at 11:45.
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)
Illinois further expands abortion protections (Capitol News Illinois)
Gov. JB Pritzker signed multiple bills expanding reproductive rights in Illinois on Wednesday, including codifying a federal law that allows medical professionals to perform an abortion in response to a clinical emergency.
Another bill bolsters Illinois’ interstate shield law that prohibits Illinois authorities from disclosing information, or using resources, to abet any interstate investigation into someone receiving abortion services within Illinois. The final bill signed prohibits discrimination against people for their reproductive health decisions, including abortion, in vitro fertilization and fertility treatment.
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade, states have had greater authority to curtail abortion access. States with Democratic majorities, like Illinois, have sought to enact more protections for abortion and other reproductive health services, while Republican-led states have moved to impose bans or limitations on the procedure.
One federal law Illinois lawmakers sought to codify in case it is struck down is the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, which allows practitioners to perform abortions in medical emergencies. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case against EMTALA in June, although it could come back before the high court once it advances further in the lower courts.
Pritzker at the time called the high court’s decision a “small respite,” but he said it was also important to be proactive as a state in case of any further U.S. Supreme Court rulings.
“We can't wait around and be reactive when the latest attacks come, the pro-choice majority in this country need to be proactive,” Pritzker said. “The three bills that I am signing today send a single, straightforward message: Illinois will always be a place where women have the freedom to make their own medical decisions.”
Related: Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs measures expanding abortion protections (Chicago Tribune)
Measure to streamline IDs for people leaving Illinois prisons, jails signed by Pritzker (Chicago Sun-Times)
People on their way out of custody from Illinois prisons and jails will soon have easier access to free state IDs under a bill signed into law Tuesday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
The measure pushed by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias eliminates the need for inmates and detainees to show physical copies of their birth certificates or Social Security cards in order to line up an ID — a common roadblock for people trying to find housing and work after incarceration.
“We take our IDs for granted, but for people leaving jail, it’s an essential tool for reentry to perform everyday tasks and increase the likelihood of successfully building a productive life,” Giannoulias said before the bill-signing.
State lawmakers approved Senate Bill 2803 in May, to give the secretary of state’s office authority to waive the birth certificate requirement for people who have previously held an Illinois license or ID.
They won’t have to show a Social Security card either, as long as state officials can verify their number directly with the federal Social Security Administration.
Inmates and detainees who didn’t previously have an Illinois ID will be able to get one free under a simplified process within 30 days of release.
Advocates have long called for Illinois to streamline its ID system for people leaving custody, who otherwise may not have the basic documentation needed to apply for school, jobs or social services. Similar ID programs have been in place for years in other states, including Florida, Missouri and Oklahoma.
Related: New Illinois law aims to give free ID cards to citizens leaving correctional facilities (Capitol News Illinois)
Pritzker formally calls on Sangamon County Sheriff to resign following Sonya Massey shooting (State Journal-Register)
Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are formally calling for Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell to resign, expressing frustration with how the sheriff has responded following the Sonya Massey fatal shooting.
Much scrutiny has been placed on Campbell, who hired now former Deputy Sean P. Grayson in May 2023 despite having two DUI convictions. Grayson has been charged by a grand jury with three counts of first-degree murder and shooting and killing Massey in her own home in an unincorporated part of Woodside Township on the morning of July 6.
"(Campbell) has failed to explain how he ended up hiring this deputy sheriff who has resigned from every position, held positions for less than a year, sometimes for just a few months," the governor said at an impromptu press conference after the unveiling of the Butter Cow at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. "I ask the question simply, 'What did the sheriff know about his background. Why didn't he do more work on his background before hiring him?"
"This isn't about politics. This is about bringing people together in Sangamon County and making people feel safe. It's the sheriff's job is to make people feel safe, and he's done the opposite of that.
Pritzker made mention of "Save Sheriff Jack Campbell" signs that have gone up on the streets and roads around Springfield.
"He's the one who has played politics," he added. "It's time for him to go."
The governor said it was "outrageous" that Campbell had yet to meet with the Massey family in the month since the murder.
"It's been a month. It's been a month," Pritzker said. "We should have seen already a meeting with the Massey family. If he's reached out, he hasn't done a very good job."
The sheriff, who once again stated his intent to stay on the force, said in a statement he has tried to meet with the family four times, but he has been rejected each time.
Campbell said he would still like to have a meeting.
Related: Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls for downstate sheriff to resign over handling of Sonya Massey case (Chicago Tribune)
Illinois governor says sheriff whose deputy fatally shot Sonya Massey in her home should resign (Associated Press)
Pritzker calls for sheriff's resignation over Sonya Massey shooting (Chicago Sun-Times)
Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign over handling of Sonya Massey killing (Bloomington Pantagraph)
Sonya Massey’s family is pushing for a change in state law after her death, policymakers aren’t so sure (WBEZ)
TOP STORIES SO FAR THIS WEEK ON THEILLINOIZE.COM
POLITICAL POTPOURRI
No. 2 Senate Democrat Dick Durbin undecided on 2026 reelection bid (Bloomington Pantagraph)
Proposed Illinois law would cut all prison sentences in half: ‘Fair’ or ‘outrageous’? (Shaw Media)
Pritzker ends state's 1% grocery tax, though local governments may add it back (Bloomington Pantagraph)
State Fair to kick off Thursday as officials unveil 2024 butter cow (Capitol News Illinois)
Illinois State Fair Butter Cow unveiled with special guest (State Journal-Register)
South suburban airport could bring over $1B in economic activity, per report (Capitol News Illinois)
Senate transit forum Friday in DuPage lets riders share vision for trains, buses (Daily Herald)
Political expert gives 2 major reasons why Pritzker wasn't chosen as Harris' VP (State Journal-Register)
Pritzker praises Harris VP pick Tim Walz, a fellow Midwest governor (Bloomington Pantagraph)
Local DNC delegates like Harris’ pick Gov. Tim Walz’s chops as veteran, congressman, quipster (Daily Herald)
State starts new fiscal year with revenue boost (Champaign News-Gazette)
Opinion: Why drive to Springfield when there’s a state fair going on right now in Milwaukee? (Chicago Sun-Times) [NOTE: Mr. Steinberg can go straight to h#ll.]
Opinion: Get ready to eat your way through the State Fair (Shaw Media)
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