In the space of a few summer days, two major national stories have come to dominate the headlines in Illinois. And how Gov. J.B. Pritzker responds will provide the measure of his performance in the final year of this term in office.
The Supreme Court on June 24 overturned a half-century of precedent and ruled there is no constitutional right to abortion. Then, on July 4, a mass shooting at Highland Park’s holiday parade left seven dead and more than 30 injured.
Pritzker responded with strong rhetoric in both cases. He called for a special session of the Illinois legislature within hours of the abortion ruling. He rushed to Highland Park after the shooting, denounced the “uniquely American plague” of gun violence, and later called for a legislative response to the Independence Day attack.
“If you’re angry today, I’m here to tell you, be angry. I’m furious,” Pritzker said.
Illinoisans have a right to be frustrated, at the very least. After all, the state has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation, yet the shooting suspect still slipped through cracks in the law, legally purchased at least five firearms and allegedly unleashed mayhem from a rooftop along the suburban parade route.
Robert Crimo III attempted suicide in 2019. Later that year, he threatened his family, prompting Highland Park police to confiscate 16 knives, a sword and a dagger. The suburb’s police issued a “clear and present danger” warning to Illinois State Police after that incident, yet Crimo still obtained a firearm owner’s identification card required to purchase a gun in Illinois. He was only 19 at the time, too young to obtain the FOID card on his own, but got one because his father signed for him.
For several hours, the shooting suspect was on the loose, a menace to residents of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
Tough gun laws did not prevent the carnage in Highland Park. They haven’t stopped gun violence statewide. In Chicago alone, there were at least two other mass shootings over the July Fourth weekend, and across the city there were 10 people killed and at least 62 others shot over the weekend, according to Chicago Police Department data.
Pritzker hasn’t yet indicated how he would amend Illinois’ gun laws or what role greater attention to mental health issues might play. Frankly, it’s probably too early to tell. With gun laws as comprehensive as those in Illinois, it will take careful study to learn what fixes might be most effective. In the meanwhile, more effective integration, implementation and communication of laws already on the books can help save lives, too.
The mass shooting in Highland Park overshadowed the decision Tuesday by Pritzker and the state’s legislative leaders — House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon — to postpone a special session that was expected to take place this week. The issue at hand: an Illinois response to the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling abolishing Roe v. Wade.
On the day of the landmark decision, Pritzker declared himself “the most pro-choice governor in the entire nation.”
Pritzker in 2019 signed a new law guaranteeing reproductive health care as a fundamental right in Illinois. This year, he helped secure passage of a law allowing minors to obtain abortions without parental notification.
The governor has been outspoken in his response to recent sea changes in abortion law. After Texas passed a restrictive law last year, Pritzker called on Texas-based companies to consider relocating to Illinois. After a draft of the anti-Roe ruling leaked from the Supreme Court in May, Pritzker promised Illinois would remain a “beacon of hope” for women from states that restrict abortion.
The words have been memorable. But the actions, so far, have not always matched the action from other states. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his administration would participate in the advisory group the Future of Abortion Council soon after the Texas law took effect. The group issued 45 recommendations that have begun to shape state law, including a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would guarantee abortion rights. Vermont voters this fall will consider a similar amendment.
The Illinois constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion.
The Maryland legislature passed a law requiring health plans to cover abortions and provided funding to train abortion providers. Women traveling to Oregon from other states to seek abortions will be eligible for financial support from a $15 million fund created by the state. Maryland, Delaware, Washington and Connecticut have passed laws allowing nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants or others to perform or facilitate abortions.
Pritzker and the Illinois legislative leaders have not detailed plans for the special session later this year. The governor told Capitol News Illinois that he would consider expanding which professionals can provide abortion care but does not expect to provide funding for abortion recipients from out of state.
The postponement will give Illinois Republicans more time to weigh in. Yes, they’re up against supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature, but the public safety and “right to life” issues will appeal downstate, as well as in the upstate collar counties where last week’s primary indicated a more conservative electorate than previously thought.
The delayed session will give Pritzker and the lawmakers time to sharpen their plans to protect abortion rights. It may also provide time for gun control advocates to bring pressure to add a push for more restrictive gun laws to the special session’s agenda.
In the end, it will be actions — not words — that determine whether Pritzker and the legislature succeed in responding to the latest national issues that have landed squarely on the governor’s desk.
David Greising is president and CEO of the Better Government Association.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
