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2023 IDW Bash Before The Brunch

Join the Illinois Democratic Women at our annual “Bash Before the Brunch” on August 15th, 2023, the night before the ILDCCA’s Annual Brunch.

Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Cost: $25 (Sponsorships available)

Tickets: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2023bash

Location: JP Kelly’s, 300 East Adams St., Springfield, Illinois

Bash Before the Brunch


Join us for the IDW “Bash before the Brunch” the night before the IDCAA’s big chairperson’s brunch! Come celebrate with women from across the state! Sponsorship levels are available, please contact jennifercamillelee@gmail.com.

The event is Tuesday, August 17 from 6:30-8:00 pm at JP Kelly’s, 300 E Adams, Springfield.

A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. Paid for by Illinois Democratic Women.

A copy of our report is or will be available from the Illinois Board of Elections, http://elections.il.gov.

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2021 IDW “Bash Before the Brunch” Fundraiser!!!

Join us for the IDW “Bash before the Brunch” the night before the IDCAA’s big chairperson’s brunch! Come celebrate with women from across the state! Sponsorship levels are available, please contact jennifercamillelee@gmail.com.

The event is Tuesday, August 17 from 6:30-8:00 pm at JP Kelly’s, 300 E Adams, Springfield.

A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. Paid for by Illinois Democratic Women.

A copy of our report is or will be available from the Illinois Board of Elections, http://elections.il.gov.

IDW Meet and Greet with Anna Valencia, Chicago City Clerk

Join the Illinois Democratic Women for a virtual “Meet and Greet” with Anna Valencia, City Clerk for the City of Chicago.

Pre-registration required >>>

From the City Clerk Website:

“Anna M. Valencia was sworn-in as City Clerk of Chicago on January 25, 2017 overseeing one of the largest offices in the City serving 1.2 million Chicagoans and generating more than $130 million annually.

As City Clerk, Valencia has focused on making government accessible to all Chicagoans. Under Valencia’s leadership, the Office of the City Clerk has made it a priority to find new and innovative ways to bring services directly to residents, increase civic engagement, improve efficiencies and collaborate across government and with the private and public sectors.
Valencia has also been charged with implementing the Municipal ID program which will roll out later this year. Available to all Chicago residents, this government-issued ID will combine access to government and city services into one card.

Prior to becoming Clerk, Valencia served as the second woman and first Latina to run Mayor Emanuel’s Legislative Counsel and Government Affairs (LCGA) where she spearheaded the passage of police accountability reform, the modernization of the CTA’s Red and Purple lines, the stabilization of pension funds and creation of the City’s legal fund that assists immigrants and refugees threatened with deportation.

Valencia has also worked as an Illinois political professional in several positions including, serving as Campaign Manager for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s re-election campaign, Senior Advisor for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s re-election campaign, Deputy Director of the Illinois Senate Democratic Victory Fund, a Communications Staffer for State Senate President John Cullerton, and Field Director for both Mike Quigley for Congress (IL-05) and Gary Peters for Congress (MI-09).

In 2017, Chicago Magazine listed Valencia as an Emerging Power Player highlighting her as a rising star in Chicago politics. Valencia has also been awarded Negocios Nows’ 40 under 40 for her work as part of the next generation of Latina leaders.

Valencia earned her degree in International Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She currently resides in the West Town neighborhood with her husband and dog.”

Source: https://www.chicityclerk.com/office…/about-clerk-valencia

Repeal the Dangerous Parental Notification Law

Monday, March 15, 2021
7-8 pm
Registration >>>

Please join our panel to find out more about the dangers posed by the Parental Notification of Abortion Law and what we need to do to repeal it.

Panel:

  • Dr. Allison Cowett (Co-Director of Family Planning Associates)
  • Donna Miller (Cook County Commissioner)
  • Rep. Anna Moeller (Repeal PNA Sponsor)

From Ms. Magazine

“The Parental Notification Act (PNA) passed in 1995 offers a loophole: it dictates that minors who want or need to avoid alerting their parents can utilize Judicial Bypass to do so, which requires that they go to court and appear before a judge to face questioning about their decision. But courts are public settings and, especially if someone lives in a small town, it means they might be recognized in the process of obtaining one. The reality is that judicial bypass is a cruel and emotionally upsetting experience that does nothing to protect the health or well being of young women; instead, it forces minors to be publicly judged for what should be a private choice.

Parental notification can sound like a good idea—why not require a conversation between a young woman and her parents? But not every minor has good parents. Many young women facing an unwanted pregnancy fear the response of their families, which can include emotional or physical harm, demands that the minor carry to term against their will or the loss of financial support or even shelter. In some cases, the prospect of telling parents can even lead to suicidal thoughts and deep depression. In one shocking case in Illinois, a forced conversation about unwanted pregnancy would have resulted in the likely death of the young woman by her own brother because the families’ religion required that for the family to save face.

It’s also worth noting that for no other medical decision do minors who are pregnant need to consult with their parents. Young women can become pregnant and carry to term without notifying their parents, even though pregnancy is far more dangerous than an abortion. They have the right to take medication without consulting their parents.

Pregnant teens are vulnerable, and they have few resources. Most of them are in high school—and to avoid parental notification by using the judicial bypass system, they have to secretly go to court without their parents learning about it, likely missing class in the process. They might not even have access to personal cell phones or have email accounts that their parents will not read, or a form of transportation to and from court for their appearance.

For six years, the ACLU in Illinois has assigned pro bono lawyers to each minor in need of support for a judicial bypass—someone who helps to guide young women through this emotionally fraught process. But even that doesn’t stop it from being a punitive and upsetting experience. “It is so cruel to put young women through this,: Melissa Widen, an attorney who supports young women navigating their judicial bypass hearings, told Ms., “who are trying to do the responsible thing in their lives.”

Source: https://msmagazine.com/2020/01/23/its-time-for-illinois-to-scrap-the-parental-notification-act/

Synopsis from ACLU of IL

“SB 1594 repeals the Parental Notice of Abortion Act, which requires a healthcare provider to notify an adult family member (parent, grandparent, step-parent living in the home, or legal guardian) at least 48 hours prior to performing an abortion for a patient under 18. The law creates a judicial bypass for those who cannot notify an adult family member. Decades of research and experience demonstrate that forced parental involvement laws like this hurt young people and serve no valid purpose.

Healthy family communication cannot be legislated: We all want young people to be able to talk to their parents about important life decisions. However, the idea that the government can force healthy family interactions ignores reality for many youth and the lasting injuries that result from enforcing these laws.

The majority of young people voluntarily tell a parent about an unplanned pregnancy – and the younger a minor, the more likely they are to involve a parent. Those who do not tell a parent often involve another family member or trusted adult.

The minority of young people who do not talk to their parents often have concerns such as: fear of physical or emotional abuse, loss of financial support, or homelessness; fear of being forced to give birth against their will; or serious family problems such as a parent who is sick or imprisoned.
The judicial bypass process itself harms young people: The “judicial bypass” alternative to parental notice – where a young person must ask a judge for permission to have an abortion without notifying a parent – compounds the harms for young people.

Youth face major logistical hurdles accessing a judicial bypass – such as getting away from school or home during business hours without raising suspicion, and travelling to and from a courthouse.
Young people are understandably distressed by being required to go to court and to tell the most intimate details of their life to a stranger.
The judicial bypass process serves no purpose: Since the law went into effect in 2013, judges granted more than 99.5 percent of bypass requests throughout Illinois because they believed the young people were mature enough to make this decision independently, in consultation with their health care providers and chosen support systems.

Every leading medical organization opposes forced parental involvement laws, including: The American Medical Association; The American Academy of Pediatrics; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; The Society for Adolescent Medicine; and The American Public Health Association.”

Source: ACLU https://www.aclu-il.org/en/legislation/sb-1594-repeal-forced-parental-involvement-law-0

IL NOW: Repeal of Parental Notification Law

IL NOW Repeal Parental Notification Law

Register for this event on EventBrite >>>

More Information About This bill (via Ms. Magazine):

“The Parental Notification Act (PNA) passed in 1995 offers a loophole: it dictates that minors who want or need to avoid alerting their parents can utilize Judicial Bypass to do so, which requires that they go to court and appear before a judge to face questioning about their decision. But courts are public settings and, especially if someone lives in a small town, it means they might be recognized in the process of obtaining one. The reality is that judicial bypass is a cruel and emotionally upsetting experience that does nothing to protect the health or well being of young women; instead, it forces minors to be publicly judged for what should be a private choice.

Parental notification can sound like a good idea—why not require a conversation between a young woman and her parents? But not every minor has good parents. Many young women facing an unwanted pregnancy fear the response of their families, which can include emotional or physical harm, demands that the minor carry to term against their will or the loss of financial support or even shelter. In some cases, the prospect of telling parents can even lead to suicidal thoughts and deep depression.  In one shocking case in Illinois, a forced conversation about unwanted pregnancy would have resulted in the likely death of the young woman by her own brother because the families’ religion required that for the family to save face.  

It’s also worth noting that for no other medical decision do minors who are pregnant need to consult with their parents. Young women can become pregnant and carry to term without notifying their parents, even though pregnancy is far more dangerous than an abortion. They have the right to take medication without consulting their parents.

Pregnant teens are vulnerable, and they have few resources. Most of them are in high school—and to avoid parental notification by using the judicial bypass system, they have to secretly go to court without their parents learning about it, likely missing class in the process. They might not even have access to personal cell phones or have email accounts that their parents will not read, or a form of transportation to and from court for their appearance.

For six years, the ACLU in Illinois has assigned pro bono lawyers to each minor in need of support for a judicial bypass—someone who helps to guide young women through this emotionally fraught process. But even that doesn’t stop it from being a punitive and upsetting experience. “It is so cruel to put young women through this,: Melissa Widen, an attorney who supports young women navigating their judicial bypass hearings, told Ms., “who are trying to do the responsible thing in their lives.”

Widen notes that the system isn’t just “tragic”—it’s also “time consuming, unnecessary, stressful,” and “does nothing to help a young woman to be safer and healthier.” It’s also unpopular: Over 70 percent of people in Illinois think that the decision to use abortion should be a choice a woman makes with her doctor. 

State Rep. Chris Welch has sponsored legislation to repeal Illinois’ PNA in the House. “This law was passed by male legislatures that have no place telling women what to do with their bodies,” he says. “Legislatures have no business legislating family relationships.” The legislature will take up this bill during their next session, between January 28 and May 31.”

Source: https://msmagazine.com/2020/01/23/its-time-for-illinois-to-scrap-the-parental-notification-act/

Women’s Groups & Grassroots Groups Urge Vote for Female Speaker of the House in Illinois

UPDATED 7:23 PM – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 1/10/2021

WOMEN’S GROUPS AND GRASSROOTS GROUPS URGE VOTE FOR FEMALE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IN ILLINOIS ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC WOMEN, ILLINOIS NOW, INDIVISIBLE ILLINOIS, INDIVISIBLE OAK PARK, WE WILL, SHE VOTES ILLINOIS, CHICAGO NOW, PEORIA NOW, VOTE MAMA, WOMEN’S MARCH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS HANDMAIDS, FRIENDS WHO MARCH, DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY, RESISTOR SISTERHOOD, NORTH/NORTHWEST NOW, LAKE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN AND MCHENRY COUNTY NOW

We are writing today to strongly encourage the House Democratic Caucus to choose a woman as their new leader when they convene to vote for the Speaker of the House of the 102nd General Assembly. As statewide women’s organizations, we’ve watched with pride and gratification as the declared candidates to the current Speaker, Michael Madigan, have all come from the House Democratic Women’s Caucus, which in the past several years has taken the lead on legislation important to us such as the Clean Energy Jobs Act, Equal Rights Amendment Ratification, and Reproductive Health Act, as well as initiatives on minimum wage, education, and mental health.

While we appreciate the leadership the current Speaker has provided, we believe it is time for a change, and choosing a strong female leader is the change that is needed. We’ve also watched with some concern
arguments that are being made that Speaker Madigan is the only one running who can hold the caucus together, pass important legislation, and help re-elect his members. This suggests that the female candidates
that have announced do not share these same qualities. We do not believe that to be true. Further, we find that sexist school of thought to be one that has permeated the legislature in Springfield for decades. Changing that culture is another reason why it is important that a woman should be chosen to lead.

All the female candidates that have declared their intention to run for Speaker of the House have done so in an environment that has been hostile to a change in leadership; this alone gives credence to their courage and fortitude. Illinois is on the precipice of a great transition as we work to come out of a global pandemic and restore jobs to working families and revive an economy that has been ravaged by Covid-19. We recognize strong leadership is needed to meet these challenges and many pressing issues, especially the much-needed criminal justice reform being championed by the House Black Caucus and the continued vigilance needed to protect women’s reproductive rights. We believe that all the women who have announced their candidacy are up to this challenge and strongly urge the House Democratic caucus to elect one of them as their new Speaker.

K-Hive: Battlegrounds USA

Join us for this free event. Registration >>>

About this event

KHive Battlegrounds USA GOTV Rally 10/15 6:00 – 8 p.m. EST

Bring your ice cream to the Battlegrounds! Or bring your friends, family and most of all the fence-sitters to the fight! Let’s eat Joe’s favorite food, listen to some of KHive’s favorite candidates and then flip the country blue up and down the ballot!

U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood and Senator Doug Jones highlight our battalion of candidates to flip or keep seats in razor-thin races in the 2020 Battle for Congress. Headliner Underwood is the Illinois District 14 representative and a universal KHive favorite and she graciously has agreed to stay for a Q&A with us and our guests from groups throughout Illinois, Georgia, Alabama and Ohio — where we are looking at some of the most crucial fights to keep the House and turn the Senate blue! We are hoping to confirm Senate and House hopefuls Jon Ossoff (GA) and Desiree Tims (OH) and will add candidate and activist speakers in the coming days.

Register Now: https://mblz.io/crNtKq