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* For a little context, here’s an SJ-R story from this past April…
In November, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law which banned judicial candidates from accepting donations from groups which don’t disclose their funders, such as so-called “dark money” groups organized as 501(c)4 organizations. These include groups like the Judicial Fairness Project or the Illinois Opportunity Project, groups which together gave $550,000 to the campaign against Kilbride.
* From Jim Nowlan at the Judicial Fairness Project…
The airwaves are clogged with Hallowe’en-scary ads this fall, making preposterous claims that voting for Republican candidates for the state Supreme Court will cause Illinois to criminalize abortion. When desperate, you do desperate things.
The absurdity is obvious to any thoughtful voter, to wit: Illinois is a Blue state that strongly supports a woman’s legal right to an abortion. Right or wrong on the issue, Gov. J. B. Pritzker has been bending over backwards to expand abortion rights, and the veto-proof Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
Illinois Supreme Court judges don’t make laws. They interpret laws enacted by the legislature and governor. And there is no way the legislature is going to enact a law that jeopardizes their support for legal abortion.
The dark money group also produced a video which has been seen more than 100,000 times so far.
But, as we’ve discussed before, what Nowlan is saying is not really true. Illinois Baptist State Association v. Illinois Department of Insurance is in a Sangamon County court right now. The suit seeks to have the Illinois Reproductive Health Act, which requires health insurance plans in Illinois which provide pregnancy-related benefits must also provide coverage for abortion ruled as unconstitutional. The Thomas More Society is handling the legal duties. The RHA’s text is here.
* Anyway, the Judicial Fairness Project is now being accused of blasting this text message…
* PPIA responded…
Attributed to Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action
“Today we sent a cease and desist notice to the Judicial Fairness Project for the false use of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action’s (PPIA) logo and taking quotes about the security of abortion access in Illinois out of context. Unlike what the Judicial Fairness Project stated in texts to supporters, abortion access is in grave danger in Illinois. When Roe was overturned, abortion remained legal in Illinois because we passed the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), which recognizes that providing abortion is health care, not criminal activity, and includes regulations that reflect current medical standards, not political standards. However, a change in the Governor’s office, a shift in the Illinois Supreme Court or a proposed federal ban would supersede the RHA, meaning abortion could be banned or severely restricted in Illinois. The Judicial Fairness Project is clearly trying to mislead and confuse voters because they know people are motivated to keep Illinois a safe haven for care. We denounce their tactics and urge voters to seek the facts from reputable organizations.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 2:05 pm
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Nowlan is a bad actor in the political arena.
It would/will/could be sweet justice indeed if the ILSC goes 5-2 after all “this and that”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 2:15 pm
Jim Nowlan has severely tarnished his reputation with his entry into judicial elections. If he’d taken Kilbride’s scalp and gone home, one could think it was just smarting over the Hawkinson campaign, but claiming to speak for Planned Parenthood is a step too far.
Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 2:48 pm
This is beyond disingenuous. Bad faith, particularly with everything going on at the Supreme Court level.
Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 2:54 pm
Nowlan is a flat-out propagandist who at one time flew under the color of a thoughtful student of government. The examples that evidence the lie to which Nowlan spouts has been so clear in the last few years. Yes folks, abortion rights and others would get whittled down should the SCOIL become MAGA GOP.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:00 pm
Here’s the interesting thing: Nowlan worked so hard to get rid of Kilbride, and how will he be rewarded? With a new court that’s likely 4-3 dem, and maybe even 5-2 dem. Well done, Jim. Well done.
Comment by From the middle Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:04 pm
Here’s hoping the Supreme Court ends up 5-2 Dem. A GOP majority IL Supreme Court could decide to rein in abortion rights in IL. Many people foolishly believed GOP US Supreme Court candidates when they said said abortion rights were settled law. If it can happen at the national level, who’s to say it couldn’t happen here.
Comment by Manchester Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:18 pm
Mr. Nowlan’s text message is fundamentally dishonest.
Why anyone could believe anything that he says about abortion rights in Illinois is beyond me.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:26 pm
@Manchester:
Illinois has abortion laws predicated upon its own statutes. The national law was bases upon a judicial opinion. That’s a major difference.
Comment by Uhm Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 5:59 pm
Uhm… have you read Baptist State v Dept of Insurance? Rich even provided a link. It’s a balancing test, and the court could overrule the law.
Do try to keep up.
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 9:23 pm