Abortion haven Illinois before and after Roe V. Wade - 23 FOOD | Spicy chili crisp - Illinois Times
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25 MUSIC | Johnnie Owens 23 FOOD | Spicy chili crisp 14 VETERAN | Ed Sathoff
FREE November 12-18, 2020 • Vol. 46, No. 17
Abortion
haven
Illinois before
and after
Roe V. Wade
19 HUMAN RIGHTS | Rachel Otwell
November 12-18, 2020 | Illinois Times | 1
2 | www.illinoistimes.com | November 12-18 , 2020
OPINION
Closing time
Bars, restaurants face shutdown
Concession
civility is
more than
UPON FURTHER REVIEW | Bruce Rushton
polite politics
Coronavirus didn’t take long to school Mayor What kind of city behaves as if bars are There’s a chance that Redpath’s colleagues GUESTWORK | Scott Reeder
Jim Langfelder and Sangamon County Board lifeblood? might force him to mask, or at least pay,
Chairman Andy Van Meter. Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory sounded the up. The mayor says he’ll ask the council to
Both sounded like politicians as they wisest council member last week when he and pass an emergency ordinance next week A candidate concession speech is an
pitched the absurd on Election Day: We are, his colleagues approved $50 citations for the allowing police to issue $50 tickets to maskless important rite in a democracy that
they posited, not defying the governor by maskless. “America’s starting to feel what it’s people found in any building open to the is done not for the benefit of the
refusing state orders to close bars and sit-down like to be broke – America’s starting to really public, including city hall. The council last winner or the loser but as a means of
restaurants, it’s just mitigation of a different get a taste of what it’s like where I come from,” week approved a measure allowing such honoring the voters and our system of
stripe. We’ll keep everything open and check Gregory observed. “Everybody’s losing their fines for people caught unmasked in retail government.
back in a couple weeks, and we’ll get serious mind.” establishments and bars and restaurants, which Sometimes the speech is done at
about masks and social distancing. “If we see a Ward 1 Ald. Chuck Redpath, for instance. at that point weren’t faced with closure. Would a podium before a crowd, but more
significant spike over where we are right now, He won’t wear a mask at council meetings even Langfelder’s new proposal apply to council often than not it happens with the
the experiment’s over and we immediately while voting to fine people caught without members? The mayor said he didn’t know. Will loser calling the winner with a word of
go into the full mitigation,” Van Meter told masks in stores and other public places. He city cops issue fines in state office buildings? congratulations.
reporters. says he’s seen no indication that the virus The mayor said he didn’t know. How many “I remember running for the
Within days, the county was shattering spreads in bars and restaurants. “It’s not fair to $50 fines have been issued under the ordinance legislature when I was 28 years old
infection records while deaths surged, which single out one industry,” he declared in a rising that passed last week? The mayor said he didn’t and losing. I thought my political
should not have surprised Langfelder. He’d voice on Tuesday, prompting Ward 6 Ald. know. career was over, but I walked over to
predicted that numbers won’t go down Kristin DiCenso, who chaired the gathering Vegas has the over-under on no-mask the courthouse, where my opponent
anytime soon due to Halloween and house via Zoom, to cut him off. “You’re yelling,” tickets issued by Springfield cops at 20 during was. I walked through his crowd
parties. Nonetheless, one week after declaring DiCenso observed. “I’m allowed to call for the first week. I took the under, figuring past of supporters, shook his hand and
bars and dining rooms would remain open, the order.” predicates future. congratulated him,” former Gov. Jim
county and city reversed course, declaring that Last week, Redpath told colleagues that Heading into winter, we’re the grasshopper Edgar told me Nov. 9. “I didn’t really
we will, beginning Friday, Nov. 13, do what he patronizes bars and restaurants but doesn’t that partied while the ant stored food. Nations want to do it, but I knew it was the
the state says we should have started doing want to tattle – as a former cop, he must not that did better sooner have kids in classrooms right thing to do.”
nearly two weeks ago. Perhaps in a week, we’ll have gotten far in the snitch biz. People are free instead of funeral homes, saying goodbye to After the divisiveness of an election,
know whether guinea pigs got sick from the to avoid bars and restaurants, Redpath says, Grandma. Columbia University researchers supporters of the opposing candidates
city and county’s experiment. and not wearing a mask to council meetings last month calculated that as many as 210,000 need to be brought together to work
Where’s evidence that the virus spreads is OK because social distancing, from where U.S. deaths could have been prevented if toward a common good, Edgar said.
in bars and restaurants, bar owners and their he sits, is sufficient. Plexiglass separated him politicians had done a better job. “They don’t have to like each other.
patrons in public office have asked. That’s like from colleagues but not spectators, who were If the city had yanked liquor licenses in But civility is an important part of our
demanding proof that the moon isn’t made required to wear masks. July instead of waiting until October to fine political process. You can’t call someone
of cheese, given that astronauts didn’t land I was at the council meeting because it’s my a handful of bars $500 for violating mask a ‘crook’ and expect they will be willing
everywhere. job. I otherwise would steer clear of anyone requirements and social-distancing protocols, to work with you,” he said.
The science is straightforward: Viruses who won’t wear a mask, frequents bars, is perhaps proprietors would have gotten serious Civility is the grease that keeps the
spread when people gather. Calculus is reluctant to report the irresponsible and yells about battling the virus and fewer people gears of democracy moving.
complex, so politicians squirm as they try to while the virus spreads and experts warn that would have gotten sick. When I brought this Former state Sen. Denny Jacobs, an
keep gathering spots afloat in a bathtub with loud talking and singing can propel dangerous up to the mayor, Langfelder went politician, East Moline Democrat, says such acts
drain wide open. Truth is uncomfortable: droplets into the air. pointing out that he pulled The Wet Bar’s are becoming less common.
liquor license in September; I observed that “I lost two elections during my time
he did it only after someone was shot on the in politics. Both times I conceded. One
street outside. The police chief last week told time was to Pat Quinn when we both
the council that cops recently checked and
Editor’s note didn’t find any gas stations or stores where
ran for [the Democratic nomination
for] secretary of state. I called him up
public health directives weren’t obeyed. and congratulated him. He told me
Newcomer JB Pritzker made a good start toward replacing Illinois’ flat tax with a fair tax. Let’s just say the chief doesn’t live in my
Now that his effort to pass a constitutional amendment has failed, it’s good that he’s vowed I never should have run. I told him,
neighborhood. ‘Watch it, Pat. I’m the guy whose ass
not to give up. “You deserved a fairer tax system and you still do,” he told Illinoisans. After If we’d taken tougher steps sooner, maybe
spending millions of his own money on the failed effort, he deserved to fume: “Millionaires you just kicked.’ … I never have had
the virus wouldn’t be spreading like an oil much use for him. But that doesn’t
and billionaires opposed it to protect their own wallets, deceiving the public about its slick, and bars and dine-in restaurants could
purpose, and they prevailed,” he said. Yes, that’s what they do. Now shake it off, gov. mean we can’t be civil.”
stay open. But now? It’s like demanding dessert Jacobs added that most of the
You’ve been at this for two years or so. Many have been fighting the unfair flat tax, and its when you haven’t touched your spinach.
unfair costs to human services and social justice, for much longer. Welcome to the fight. candidates he defeated during his
Hang in for the long haul. –Fletcher Farrar, editor and CEO decades in politics never called him to
Contact Bruce Rushton at
brushton@illinoistimes.com. continued on page 7
November 12-18, 2020 | Illinois Times | 3
4 | www.illinoistimes.com | November 12-18 , 2020
OPINION
Lack of blue wave leaves Democrats blue
POLITICS | Rich Miller
Illinois Democrats were hoping for some against Kilbride is a vote against Madigan. election ended, calling on him to quit the
big election night wins last week, but now We’re to the point where I don’t even chairmanship of the state Democratic Party.
everything has devolved into finger-pointing have to explain that “Madigan” means House Duckworth even suggested he should no
chaos. Speaker Michael Madigan. Everybody knows longer be House Speaker.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s graduated income tax who he is and most despise him, so the attack But if you zoom out for a moment, you’ll
proposal was in some doubt for a while. The worked like a charm in that Downstate, blue- see that congressional Democrats failed to
governor’s campaign chose not to advertise collar district. meet expectations all over the country last
early because of the delicacies of politics Like Pritzker, Kilbride did not have an week and a massive national push to elect
during a pandemic, so they passed up a effective counter-argument. Kilbride fell way more Democratic state legislators crashed and
chance at total dominance of the playing field short of the votes he needed to be retained. burned.
during crucial months. One of US Sen. Dick Durbin’s favored On election night, Madigan appeared to
When billionaire Ken Griffin finally Democratic congressional candidates, Betsy have lost two House seats to the Republicans
decided to weigh in against it, the proponents Dirksen Londrigan, was handily defeated when expectations were that he’d pick up
had lost the crucial advantage of time to last week after narrowly losing to US Rep. several, but that might change for the better
drive their message home unfettered. And Rodney Davis two years before. The ads run when all the votes are finally counted.
the “anti” message was strong and relatable: by Davis and his allies constantly featured The bottom line is the “Madigan” message
Don’t trust Illinois politicians to do the right “Madigan.” appears to have worked and it’s probably only
thing. The proponents’ much less-focused And while the Griffin-funded effort to going to get worse for the Democrats if he
message simply had no chance. defeat the Fair Tax didn’t mention Madigan remains in power.
The ballot measure was losing as of Nov. 6 in their TV spots, they did use Madigan But that doesn’t let the governor, Durbin
by almost 10% and about 500,000 votes. in direct mail and people generally hate and Kilbride off the hook. And a much better
A narrow loss would’ve been one thing. Madigan so much that it’s probably not a than expected performance by President
But after voters overwhelmingly rejected huge leap to say he’s why the “Don’t trust Donald Trump in Illinois combined with a
taxing a relatively few upper-income people, ‘em” approach worked so well. national trend that defied expectations were
it’s going to be hugely difficult to convince In disgust, the governor and US also involved.
Democratic state legislators to make up for Senators Durbin and Tammy Duckworth In other words, simple explanations are
those billions in lost revenues by increasing all threw Madigan under the bus after the usually neither.
the state’s flat tax on everyone.
Without the money generated by a 1240 S. 6th, Springfield, IL 62703
PO Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705
graduated income tax, Pritzker’s fallback was
the hope that Joe Biden would win the White Office phone 217.753.2226
House and the Democrats would take control Fax 217.753.2281
of the US Senate and give big bucks to the
www.illinoistimes.com
states. As I write this, Democratic control of
the Senate appears in doubt.
So, if Pritzker can’t raise taxes and he EDITOR/CEO
Fletcher Farrar........................... ffarrar@illinoistimes.com, ext.1140
can’t get a federal bailout, that leaves a $5 Letters to the editor...................................letters@illinoistimes.com
billion Federal Reserve loan, and the only
PUBLISHER
way to make room for those payments will Michelle Ownbey..................mownbey@illinoistimes.com, ext.1139
be to slash an already bare-bones budget to
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
the marrow or consider shafting the public James Bengfort..................... jbengfort@illinoistimes.com, ext.1142
employee unions and “reform” pensions.
STAFF WRITER
Pritzker is most definitely not in a good Bruce Rushton....................... brushton@illinoistimes.com, ext.1122
place. He put literally everything on this tax Rachel Otwell...........................rotwell@illinoistimes.com, ext. 1143
vote and he came up way short. CALENDAR EDITOR
A big loss like that can easily devastate Stacie Lewis.............................. slewis@illinoistimes.com, ext.1129
legislative confidence in a governor. As I’ve
PRODUCTION DESIGNERS
said for years, this business is a protection Joseph Copley..........................jcopley@illinoistimes.com, ext.1125
racket. You earn support by proving you Brandon Turley.......................... bturley@illinoistimes.com, ext.1124
can protect your fellow politicians’ interests. ADVERTISING
Despite Pritzker’s billions, his big win two Beth Parkes-Irwin...................... birwin@illinoistimes.com, ext.1131
years ago over an incumbent governor and Yolanda Bell..................................ybell@illinoistimes.com, ext.1120
Ron Young................................ ryoung@illinoistimes.com, ext.1138
broad public support for his handling of the
pandemic, he did not hold up his end on this BUSINESS/CIRCULATION
one. Brenda Matheis.....................bmatheis@illinoistimes.com, ext.1134
That brings us to soon-to-be-former Published weekly on Thursday. Copyright 2020 by Central Illinois
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride, Communications LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form
without permission is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Send address
who conceded defeat in his retention bid. changes to: Illinois Times, P.O. Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705.
The opposition’s message, also mainly funded SUBSCRIPTIONS: illinoistimes.com./subscribe
by Ken Griffin, was brisk and simple: A vote
November 12-18, 2020 | Illinois Times | 5
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OPINION
Concession civility is
more than polite politics
continued from page 3
concede.
When I was in graduate school at
what is now the University of Illinois-
Springfield, my political science professor
Jack Van Der Slik compared the ballot
box to communion within the church.
It’s an intimate act that makes one part
of a greater whole.
But when a president denigrates the
foundation of American democracy, a
fair and free election, we have reason for
concern because it undermines who we
are as a people.
LETTERS vulnerable of our population. pressure on them to act
We mustn’t forget that even responsibly for the benefit of And President Donald Trump is
Poll poem #1 We welcome letters. Please include
your full name, address and telephone offenders are human beings all, rather than select special challenging the apparent outcome of the
number. We edit all letters. Send them and should be treated as such. interests. election in court by alleging voter fraud.
To our readers: here is IT’s yearly to letters@illinoistimes.com. If there is evidence of widespread
They are paying their so-called Pension reform is
Anticipated popular poll fraud, the president should present it. But
debts to society. also needed. The Illinois
“THE WORST OF SPRINGFIELD!” so far, the evidence to support his claims
We owe them something, Constitution limits what can
Rules: Add your own categories. PRISONERS NEED BETTER have been at best underwhelming.
too – adequate, competent be done with people currently
1. Worst accident-prone intersection HEALTH CARE I might add that while the president
health care. in the system, and changes
2. Worst consulting co. on city improvement Prison health care is a powder has the right to go to court, one can
Jason Perry have already been made for
3. Worst politician (choose your party) keg that will soon explode question its advisability.
Springfield future retirees. An immediate
4. Worst speedway street screeching tires (“Prison health care still Edgar noted that in the 1960
fix would be to re-amortize the
5. Worst speedway street deafening music bad,” Nov. 5). As a volunteer presidential election, Richard Nixon
STATE NEEDS BETTER BUDGET payback schedule. If the state
6. Worst holiday yard decoration overkill in our state’s prisons, I can declined to demand recounts in Illinois
Now that voters have rejected would lengthen the payback
7. Worst local zoom experience tell you that the number and Texas, despite rumors of voting
the Fair Tax Amendment and period it could take a lot of
8. Worst bar ignoring COVID cautions one complaint I received irregularities, because he thought it would
Governor JB Pritzker has pressure off funding current
9. Worst homebound squabbling kids while in conversation with be a bad thing to put the nation through.
warned of painful spending services, which would lessen
10. Worst barking dog you’d like to throttle offenders was the woeful cuts, I think it’s time to look the need for tax increases. The Former Illinois congressman and U.S.
lack of adequate health care. at some structural changes that total cost may be higher, but it Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
2020 Jacqueline Jackson Countless documented stories could help. will be spread out over decades said he anticipates Trump will concede
abound of offenders’ health Tax reform is definitely and will decrease the negative soon.
care concerns not being taken needed. Sales taxes were side effects of being unable “Republican leaders are going to him
seriously. One death is one created in the 1930s and the to pay for infrastructure, and telling him it’s time to concede. In
too many. income tax was started in the education, public health and the end, he’ll do the right thing. It was
This is not new. In 1960s. The state’s economy is other services we need now a hard-fought race, but now it’s time to
1976, JW Gamble filed a now infinitely different than it and every year. move on,” he said.
handwritten brief pro se was in either of these decades. When people talk He added he anticipates that President
detailing what he felt was a However, our tax structure has about reform, eliminating Trump will participate in Biden’s
lack of adequate health care in not been adjusted to reflect fraud, waste and abuse is inauguration.
the Texas prison system. That this. One way to address this one of the first reforms “With COVID, I doubt it will be a
crucial Supreme Court case is to create a commission of mentioned, although specific traditional inauguration with crowds of
set the standard for countless economists, tax attorneys, recommendations of what thousands, and hundreds of people on the
Eighth Amendment cases to CPAs, businesses and labor to to eliminate seem to be rare. platform,” he said. “But, yes, I anticipate
be filed by offenders. look at the overall tax structure Fraud should definitely be President Trump will be there.”
The privatization of prison of the state and recommend investigated and dealt with Both Edgar and Ray LaHood are
health care was a terrible idea changes to get state revenue in when found. Waste and Republicans who supported Biden.
from the start as it fails to line with today’s economy. If abuse, just like beauty, is in Edgar said Trump’s unsubstantiated
actually protect offenders. I our tax structure were properly the eye of the beholder. claims of a “rigged election” are harmful
absolutely agree with the idea aligned, the tax burden may be During the good times, we to the nation.
of prison health care being lower and spending pressures tend to forget that government “Some of his supporters are going
administered by a university or lessened. The commission is not a business and should to believe that claim and, if they do, it
nonprofit entity. should be set up like Congress’ not be run like one. Then diminishes the legitimacy of the next
It’s a tough sell, as effort to close unnecessary when disaster strikes, we are president.”
offenders are relegated to military bases whereby they outraged government is not
forgotten population status – a had to either accept the entire there to help. Scott Reeder is a veteran Statehouse
designation that ultimately recommended list of closures Ed Taft journalist and a freelance reporter.
places them among the most or none of them. That put Williamsville ScottReeder1965@gmail.com.
November 12-18, 2020 | Illinois Times | 7
8 | www.illinoistimes.com | November 12-18 , 2020
NEWS
THE FIGHT CONTINUES
Go home
CAP While scores of firefighters have
CITY been quarantined after being
exposed to coronavirus, Gene Mitchell,
speaking on behalf of union employees,
told the Springfield City Council this
Council approves homeless money, sends consultant packing week that the city isn’t doing enough
to keep germs out of city hall. “The
GOVERNMENT | Bruce Rushton administration has considered Plexiglass
to be tantamount to a vaccine,” Mitchell
told the council via Zoom. “The city has
A plan to combat homelessness arrived with a • The city or social service agencies should Rather than giving credence to the voice of been full of excuses as to why working
thud last week as the Springfield City Council establish a $25,000 fund to protect landlords divisiveness, we will continue in the spirit of remotely can’t happen, mainly due to a
approved nearly $200,000 for a winter shelter who agree to rent homes and apartments to the unity and collective impact to move forward limited number of laptops and baseless
to keep the destitute from freezing. homeless. Federal funds would cover rent, with in working with our city and county partners concerns that (union) members would
The $190,000 contract with Salvation the local fund acting as a collective damage on a strategic plan to address homelessness.” not perform their duties while working
Army to run a temporary shelter until deposit in the event premises need repair. Memorial did not respond to Fallon’s remotely,” Mitchell told the council.
next spring came with the proviso that no • Springfield needs a full-time housing criticisms. Mitchell said that union officials since
money be given to John Fallon, a Waukegan locator to cut through red tape and find Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin said last spring have been telling the city to
homelessness consultant who already has been housing. A locator could expedite the release he’s skimmed Fallon’s report and doesn’t take more steps to curb the spread of
paid $24,000 under a contract granted last of state money for housing, Fallon says, while necessarily disagree with his findings. But coronavirus among municipal workers
summer by Mayor Jim Langfelder, who says also providing administrative support to the McMenamin, who introduced the measure by increasing social distancing. Due to
he retained Fallon after hearing him discuss Springfield Housing Authority, which he barring Fallon from getting any money from technical difficulties, Mitchell’s comments
homeless issues two years ago in Springfield. criticizes for denying housing to anyone found the $190,000 allotment for winter shelter, were not audible in council chambers.
Fallon proved unpopular with local guilty of a misdemeanor within the past three said no more money should be given to While a fix was tried, Mitchell, a veteran,
service providers who found his style and years. After more than three months, most Fallon without council approval, given that sang the “Marines’ Hymn,” which came
criticisms abrasive. “I’m the asshole,” Fallon street homeless have criminal histories, he the mayor, under city code, has paid the across loud-and-clear online. We are all
acknowledged after completing a Facebook found. “Managing to survive on the streets maximum amount allowed without a contract in this together, after all, and the battle
interview last week with Julie Benson, founder often required petty theft, trespassing and approved by the council. goes on.
of Helping the Homeless in Springfield, at other crimes of survival,” Fallon wrote. Capt. Jeff Eddy of the Salvation Army
Harvard Park Baptist Church. “While persons in emergency shelters said that the shelter, which will be created
The mayor did not argue when the council regularly get services and eventual housing, in a Salvation Army building at 11th and
last week specified that no more money be I found that unsheltered persons seldom Jefferson streets recently sold to the city to SESSION CANCELED
paid to his chosen consultant. Ward 1 Ald. received services from agencies while living make way for expansion of the 10th Street CAP Veto session in Springfield has
Chuck Redpath says he hasn’t read Fallon’s on the street,” wrote Fallon, who found that railroad corridor, will have sufficient room CITY been canceled. “The front page
report. “We’re getting a lot of bad messages the number of people living on the street has to quarantine people so coronavirus won’t in today’s Springfield paper warns of a
from the homeless community about how the swelled from 50 to 75 since summer. “All spread. Unlike last winter, when the city COVID ‘tsunami’ sweeping the region
guy is acting,” Redpath said. “All he does is go individuals on the street eagerly spoke with me spent $50,000 on an overnight winter shelter, and its health care system,” said
out and interview the homeless community about a desire to be housed but had not seen according to Fallon’s report, the shelter this Illinois Senate President Don Harmon
and tell us how bad it is. I think we need to service providers in some months.” year will be open 24/7, with social service in a Nov. 10 statement. “It’s not safe or
formulate a more solid plan.” Homeless women, Fallon says, are agencies onsite to offer help, Eddy says. “All responsible to have a legislative session
Redpath says the city had the right plan in vulnerable, entering unhealthy relationships of the agencies are playing a part,” Eddy under these circumstances.” That might
a proposed 11th Street homeless shelter that that bring protection if not stability. Fallon says. “We have a table set up for each one of come as a relief to House Speaker
crumbled last year when the mayor, whose had sharp words for St. John’s Hospital and them.” Michael Madigan, who has faced
staff helped pick the site, balked. “We’ve got Memorial Medical Center, saying that both Josh Sabo, coordinator for the Heartland enormous pressure from investigations
to have a permanent solution to our homeless tax-exempt hospitals are missing chances to Continuum of Care, a consortium of social into corruption, including a federal probe
problem,” Redpath said. “We can’t have tent treat street people. At St. John’s, he wrote, service agencies tasked with helping the into ComEd’s bribery scandal, as well
city.” security personnel and treatment supervisors homeless, says that both Memorial and as a request to meet with members of
Since at least 2005, Springfield has seen have called the mayor’s office, asking that St. John’s will offer services at the winter a House corruption committee. Madigan
plans for homeless shelters come and go. Fallon homeless people be arrested for failing to leave shelter, which is set to shut down in March. has rejected calls for his resignation
questions the need for a new shelter, saying hospital property after receiving treatment in Sabo said he doesn’t disagree with Fallon’s and denies wrongdoing. He has not
the chronically homeless and the city would the emergency room. “After having discharged conclusions, but he also said that the report been charged. With no vetoes to address
be better served by putting the homeless in people repeatedly on foot with limited isn’t surprising: For more than a decade, the this year, the fall session agenda had
apartments and houses instead of one large mobility, they were surprised that persons federal government has been pushing for revolved around efforts to address social
building. In his 30-page report, Fallon says: might remain nearby the hospital and disturb homeless people to be housed in scattered justice issues. Senate Majority Leader
• The city and Memorial Health System the nearby businesses after their discharge homes. “He’s not saying anything new,” Sabo Kimberly Lightford said the legislation
should set up a three-person team to work without additional resources,” Fallon wrote. said. The problem, he said, is money: There will be ready to consider once it’s safe
with a police officer now assigned to address Without disputing that the hospital called aren’t enough resources available to realize to do so. “While we will not be able to
homeless issues, with the city paying for two for cops, St. John’s bristles. “The information Fallon’s vision. pass legislation as soon as we hoped,
people and Memorial paying for the other at in his report is incomplete and inaccurately “John, during his time in town, he hoped the urgency to bring an end to systemic
an annual cost of $161,000 to the city. The reflects how we care for the homeless,” to really help a lot of people address housing,” racism remains. The moment to put forth
team would concentrate on homeless people hospital officials wrote in an email. “St. Sabo said. “The reality is that housing this critical agenda is now, and I know
lacking mental health care, medical services John’s Hospital has been and continues to resources are scarce.” President Harmon and Speaker Madigan
and addiction treatment who show up in be a partner in collaboratively seeking ways share our concerns and our commitment
courtrooms and emergency rooms. Medicaid, to address the adverse outcomes to which Contact Bruce Rushton at to making a difference,” she said in a
Fallon says, would pick up many costs. persons experiencing homelessness are at risk. brushton@illinoistimes.com. statement.
November 12-18, 2020 | Illinois Times | 9
10 | www.illinoistimes.com | November 12-18 , 2020
NEWS
Facing racial disparities
in Illinois health care
HEALTH CARE | Raymon Troncoso, Capitol News Illinois and Report For America
State legislators heard testimony from health
care experts Nov. 9 on policies the state could
pursue to address racial disparities in health
outcomes and access.
That testimony was given during a joint
hearing of the Senate Health and Human
Services and Public Health committees
prompted by the Illinois Legislative Black
Caucus, which has highlighted health care
disparities in the past.
Legislators, in Monday’s hearing and in
past hearings, have referenced significantly
higher maternal mortality rates, higher
infant mortality rates, and higher rates of
COVID-19 positivity and COVID-related Elissa Bassler of the Public Health Institute testifies
deaths among Blacks and Latinos, in Illinois virtually Monday before the Senate Health and Human
and nationwide, compared to their white Services and Public Health committees about the
need for statewide data collection of detailed health
counterparts. care information from every Illinois community.
According to Elissa Bassler, CEO of the PHOTO COURTESY BLUEROOMSTREAM.COM
Illinois Public Health Institute, a necessary
component of good policy to address existing
disparities is good data. how many interviews would be conducted.
In her testimony before the joint hearing, Drs. Vida Henderson and Karriem Watson,
Bassler said the state needed to collect better who work at the University of Illinois Cancer
data in order to use public funds strategically. Center, told lawmakers about the significant
Otherwise, much-needed public funds could disparities in cancer screening for Blacks and,
be inadequately disbursed, treating symptoms by extension, the high rate of mortality when it
of disparities but not addressing root causes to comes to lung cancer, breast cancer for women
actually address them. and prostate cancer for men, in comparison to
“Traditional public health data on births, their white counterparts.
causes of deaths and certain diseases collected The pair of doctors advised lawmakers to
by existing methods don’t do enough to help invest money in pipelines to invest in Black
communities, local government and the and Latino communities on both ends of
state understand local health concerns and health care.
community and social factors associated with “This will allow us to increase the diversity
health,” she said. “Nor do they help identify in the health care workforce,” Watson said.
policies and interventions that address health The Illinois Psychiatric Society and
inequities.” Southern Illinois University School of
Bassler suggests lawmakers fund an annual Medicine each submitted written testimony of
statewide “Healthy Illinois” survey in the same policy proposals to the joint committee.
model, broken down by ZIP code, which Their proposals included expanding
would extract information from residents on telehealth services and insurance coverage
a wide range of topics such as access to health for underserved communities, allowing
services, levels of civic engagement, childhood more services to be billed to Medicaid,
experiences, chronic health conditions, diet and supporting public relations and early
and financial security. education to inform communities about
The data from the survey would be used mental and substance use disorders and
by various state agencies involved in health treatment, diet and best social and behavioral
and human services and would be available practices to preserve long-term health.
to municipal governments and private Monday’s hearing was the final planned
stakeholders such as hospitals and medical joint meeting of the Senate Public Health and
nonprofits, and would include every Illinois Health and Human Services committees to
community as well as Chicago. address the Black Caucus’ agenda. Sen. Mattie
Bassler estimated the annual cost to the Hunter, D-Chicago, who chaired the hearing,
state to conduct the survey, if Chicago was said in a news release Monday that she and the
included, would range from $1.75 million to caucus are ready to reform the state’s health
$2.5 million depending on how detailed and care system.
November 12-18, 2020 | Illinois Times | 1112 | www.illinoistimes.com | November 12-18 , 2020
NEWS
Pot licenses bogged down
MARIJUANA | Bruce Rushton
Even as Springfield’s third recreational plaintiffs say that granting licenses to grow pot
marijuana dispensary opened this month, would not hinder the state’s ability to respond
the state’s recreational cannabis program isn’t to the coronavirus pandemic. Applicants are
panning out as planned. paying as much as $10,000 a month to secure
Revenue is booming from dispensaries real estate, the plaintiffs say.
since recreational marijuana became legal on In one case, an unnamed applicant is
Jan. 1. Through August, the state has collected keeping employees on the payroll to maintain
$106 million in taxes, the state Department of its status as a social equity applicant, the
Revenue announced last month. lawyers write. “Those employees remain idle,
Otherwise, there are problems with the despite being paid biweekly,” lawyers write
program that state officials boasted would in the lawsuit. “The cost of this payroll to
be a national model when the legislature last applicant is approximately $9,500 for each
year legalized recreational marijuana. No new biweekly payroll period.”
licenses have been granted for growing pot Krista Lisser, spokeswoman for the state
since recreational sales began with product Department of Agriculture, said the state has
supplied by growers first licensed under not set a date to award growing licenses and
the state’s medical marijuana program. No is now giving prospective growers a chance
dispensaries outside those affiliated with to supplement applications if information is
retailers licensed to sell medical pot have been missing.
permitted to sell recreational marijuana. The lawsuit comes after applicants for retail
Under the legalization statute, the state licenses sued in September, when the state
was supposed to have issued new licenses for announced that 21 applicants would be eligible
retailers no later than May 1. The deadline for 75 dispensary licenses. All the finalists were
for granting new growing licenses was July 1. deemed social equity applicants, and some
Both would-be sellers and growers have sued, have past ties to state government, including
with the latest lawsuit filed last month in Cook a finalist who once headed the Department of
County Circuit Court by the Illinois Craft Financial and Professional Regulation, which
Cannabis Association, a group of would-be issues licenses and regulates dispensaries.
growers. After the state agreed to reconsider dispensary
In their lawsuit against the state, prospective applications filed by entities that didn’t make
growers say that they are suffering more than the cut, finalists sued, demanding that the state
prospective retailers because applicants for proceed with awarding licenses.
cultivation licenses must show that they have David Ruskin, attorney for prospective
property available to grow marijuana, and growers, said the state, in delaying licenses for
reserving real estate costs money. Applicants for new growers and allowing applications to be
retail dispensaries do not have to secure sites to amended, is trying to avoid the same problems
get licenses. that arose with dispensary license applications.
Under the state’s cannabis social equity “They’re afraid of the same results and trying
program, applicants for 40 growing licenses to get out ahead of it,” Ruskin said. “It’s just a
get bonus points if they employ people with big mess.”
criminal pasts or who come from areas deemed A quarter of state tax revenue from
to have been disproportionately impacted cannabis sales is supposed to be reserved
by the war on drugs. In their lawsuit against for programs aimed at helping people in
the state, prospective growers say that some areas disproportionately impacted by crime,
applicants have had to keep employees on violence and the war on drugs. The state last
payrolls while waiting for licensing decisions. spring announced that $31.5 million would
Between 455 applicants for growing licenses be available in grants to public and private
and 115 applicants for licenses to create entities. It isn’t clear when grants will be
marijuana concentrates, the plaintiffs estimate awarded.
costs at $5 million per month while the “The community response to this grant
state Department of Agriculture considers opportunity was overwhelming and hundreds
applications. of applications for funding were submitted,”
Plaintiffs say consumers are paying inflated the Illinois Criminal Justice Information
prices for pot due to shortages that new Authority, which helps administer the grant
licenses would help ease. Two days before program, wrote in a Sept. 25 statement
growing licenses were due, Gov. JB Pritzker posted on the agency’s website. “Due to
in June postponed the award of licenses in an the unprecedented number of applications
emergency declaration issued in conjunction received, the review process is taking longer
with the coronavirus pandemic, and the than expected.” The agency says grants will be
declaration has been renewed. In their lawsuit, awarded by Jan. 1.
November 12-18, 2020 | Illinois Times | 13PROFILE
Ed Sathoff, seated right, in Leyte, Philippines, where he served under General Douglas MacArthur in 1944. PHOTOS COURTESY ED SATHOFF
World War II South Pacific vet remembers there was...
“A lot of praying going on.”
Ed Sathoff, 94, of Petersburg, doesn’t mind saying he was one scared teenager
VETERANS | Cinda Ackerman Klickna
To Ed Sathoff, 94, of Petersburg, Veterans Day and I am not ashamed to admit it,” he says. 25, 1946.” He had mixed feelings. “I loved
is an important holiday. “It is hard to explain, “There was a lot of praying going on.” the Navy, but my parents needed help with
but it means everything to me,” Sathoff says. After Leyte, he helped build the naval the family business. Otherwise, I would have
“It means we must remember our freedoms. base on Samar Island, another island in the stayed.”
We have the freedom of speech, the freedom Philippines. He was thrilled to see General Returning home, he married Gladys
of religion and the God-given right to vote. Douglas MacArthur. Mercedes, “Mert,” in July 1946. They had lived
Many other countries don’t have these rights.” The men had been told they would be on neighboring farms near Atterberry and had
Sathoff’s story starts in March 1944. He headed to Japan, but they were not told of met when she was 14 and he was 17. He says,
was 17, living in Atterberry near Petersburg; the impending attack on Hiroshima. “We “The first time I saw her I knew I wanted to
he dropped out of high school and enlisted in were told we would head to Japan to invade. spend my life with her.” She died Nov. 8 at a
the Navy. “I just felt it was my duty to defend We were informed to expect up to a million Petersburg nursing home, age 91. They would
my country,” he says. After basic training, casualties. Then, the news came that the bomb have marked their 75th anniversary in July
he received advanced training in Naval had been dropped on Hiroshima (on Aug. 6, 2021. Sathoff worked in his family’s custom
Amphibious Forces, which were responsible 1945). We did not go to Japan. I will tell you farm work business, baling hay, shelling corn,
for transporting soldiers and equipment, that lifted a huge weight off us.” etc. His wife worked as a cook.
often under heavy enemy fire. They were In 1946, he was given a 60-day leave but Sathoff tells some interesting tales about
instrumental in the Pacific – Leyte Island, Iwo only took 30 days. After, he shipped out of life aboard ship. “I loved ship life on the USS
Jima, Okinawa and others. Sathoff was in the California, headed to the Marshall Islands. Massachusetts battleship with over 1,200 men.
convoy that landed on the Philippine island of The destination was the Bikini Atoll, and And, I loved the ocean. I never got seasick, but
Leyte, delivering men and equipment to the the assignment was to prepare for the atomic I sure saw a lot of men lined up on the rail of
beaches. “The battle at Leyte in October 1944 bomb test. Sathoff says, “We got things ready, the deck who suffered from it. We were told
was the world’s largest naval battle in history. but we were not there when the bomb was that eating sour pickles would help. I never ate
We were in the face of the enemy. We had tested.” That took place in July 1946. one ’cause I never got sick.”
120 men in the landing craft and there were By then, Sathoff had been discharged; he Six years ago, Sathoff made the trip to Fall
hundreds of landing crafts. Was I scared? Yes, can immediately name the exact date, “May River, Massachusetts, to once again climb on
14 | www.illinoistimes.com | November 12-18 , 2020the bus because of the pounding rain. He had
hoped to see the Changing of the Guard in
Arlington National Cemetery, which he did
– while sitting in the rain. The World War II
Memorial visit seemed iffy. “The driver said
if we wanted to see the memorial it was now
or never. Just as we pulled off the highway at
the site, it stopped raining. Although the sky
was black and threatening more rain, we were
there 45 minutes and it didn’t rain.”
Sathoff had always planned to go back to
high school and get his diploma, but he never
did. On the occasion of his 80th birthday,
though, Sathoff was presented an honorary
diploma by the high school principal in
Petersburg. Sathoff often showcased war
memorabilia and gave speeches at the school
on Veterans Day.
He is proud of earning four medals:
The Victory Liberation Medal, Philippine
Liberation Medal with two battle stars, Asia
Pacific Theater with two bronze stars, and a
Unit Citation Medal.
Sathoff enlisted in the Navy in 1944, age 17.
Sathoff stays active, taking care of a
big yard and garden, and doing some
board the USS Massachusetts. “It brought woodworking. He continues to help promote
back many old memories. I saw my old the importance of the service of veterans, and
bunk and all the areas of the ship. It was a enjoys life that he is thankful to have after
wonderful trip.” experiencing many unpleasant situations
In 2010 he had the opportunity to go during the war. “There are just some things we
on an Honor Flight, a national program don’t talk about,” he says. “But I am proud of
that provides an all-expense-paid trip for my service.”
veterans to see the memorials in Washington,
D.C. But that trip was not as great as his Cinda Ackerman Klickna remembers stories
trip to Massachusetts. It rained all day in her father told of his time in World War II
Washington, D.C. At the Korean War and learned new information when
Memorial, they were forced to get back on interviewing Sathoff.
Ed Sathoff with his wife, Mercedes, who died Nov. 8 at a Petersburg nursing home. They had been married
more than 74 years.
November 12-18, 2020 | Illinois Times | 1516 | www.illinoistimes.com | November 12-18 , 2020
FEATURE
Activists dressed as handmaids observed an Illinois House human services committee meeting in May of 2019 as the Reproductive Health Act was under consideration. The Handmaid’s Tale is a book by Margaret Atwood, published in
1985, about a dystopian, patriarchal society where fertile women are enslaved as breeders. The book follows the women’s attempts to gain their independence. The novel was made into a popular television series on Hulu, with the first
episode released in 2017. Handmaid outfits have become common for those demonstrating in support of reproductive health care in recent years. PHOTO BY JULIE LYNN
Abortion havenIllinois before and after Roe V. Wade
HUMAN RIGHTS | Rachel Otwell
When Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Mississippi in an effort to have them heard are state-level attacks and they are part of a private medical insurance providers that cover
Ginsburg died in September, many began by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Illinois national strategy to cut off access to abortion,” maternal health costs to also cover abortion.
to lament the potential undoing of a host of lawmakers have promised the state will said Leahy. The state had decided in 2017 abortion would
human rights milestones. High among them continue to provide this necessary medical As part of an effort to combat those be covered by Medicaid.
was the federal decision on abortion access. procedure, regardless of any potential attacks, in 2019 Illinois passed the
In 1973, via the landmark Roe v. Wade decisions that would undo the precedent set Reproductive Health Act. The point was The road to care
decision, the Supreme Court ruled that by Roe v. Wade. to ensure any federal decision would not According to the Illinois Department of
a woman’s right to choose an abortion is Before Ginsburg’s death, Brigid Leahy, undermine the ability for people to access Public Health, the number of nonresidents
protected by the Constitution. Earlier this director of public policy for Planned abortions in Illinois. Now “access to coming to the state for abortions has risen
year, in an amicus brief, more than 200 Parenthood of Illinois, and others were already reproductive health care is a fundamental in recent years. Between 2014 and 2018, the
Republican Congress members urged the hard at work solidifying protections. “We right under Illinois law,” Leahy said. The percentage grew by more than 90%, up to
Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade. have been seeing a steady drumbeat of attacks measure affirmed that the state should handle 5,669 cases in 2018.
Anti-abortion activists have been setting up on access to reproductive health care, and reproductive procedures the same as all Hope Clinic for Women, in Granite City,
legal cases in states such as Louisiana and attacks on abortion access in particular. These other forms of health care. It also required is near the state’s border with Missouri –
November 12-18, 2020 | Illinois Times | 17FEATURE
Hope Clinic for Women sponsored this billboard on I-55/64, viewable by drivers to Illinois from Missouri. PHOTO COURTESY HOPE CLINIC FOR WOMEN
Abortion haven
from out of state, largely from Missouri. Last magazine, “We started looking state by state
year, The New Yorker wrote about Illinois as and asking, where do we need to shore things
an “abortion-rights haven.” As the article up.” The goal was to ensure “Illinois was as
continued from page 19
states, it was long before Ginsburg’s death strong on reproductive rights as we could
that advocates began the fight to codify possibly make it,” she had said.
where there is a single abortion clinic left. abortion rights through additional avenues.
Hope Clinic is one of the oldest clinics of its “Staff from Planned Parenthood offices across Before Roe v. Wade
kind in the country, founded in 1974. Many the country were holding a strategy session Abortion is literally ancient history, with
early practitioners there were motivated by in Chicago on June 27, 2018, when Supreme evidence of the practice dating back into
the desire to prevent the deaths of women, Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced the pre-modern era. Miscarriages are quite
who had limited options for safe abortion his retirement, clearing the way for Trump to common. One in eight pregnancies end
before Roe v. Wade, said Alison Dreith, the appoint Kavanaugh,” the article read. One of with one, according to some statistics. Some
clinic’s current deputy director. those people was Brigid Leahy, who told the women need an abortion to assist their
Missouri is one of the states that has miscarriage, a medical intervention for a
passed sweeping restrictions in recent years. natural process. Regardless of the reason,
As more states make it harder for people to without legal and safe abortion, women have
access care, Hope Clinic has provided an taken matters into their own hands, using
increasing number of abortions, Dreith said. risky self-induced methods or patronizing
In 2017 and the decade prior, the clinic was unregulated and unsanitary providers.
seeing about 3,000 patients a year, she said. “Almost every abortion death and disability
In 2019, the same year the Reproductive could be prevented through sexuality
Health Act passed, that number was above education, use of effective contraception,
5,000. Dreith said the increase was due to provision of safe, legal induced abortion and
the “proactive legislation in Illinois” as well timely care for complications,” according to
as “restrictive laws also being passed in our the World Health Organization.
neighboring state.” It took an evolution of thought for
Along with the increase of clients has LuAnn Atkins to see abortion as a human
come an increase of opposition. “We’ve seen rights issue. Five decades ago, she was one
an insurgence of new protesters coming to of the first students at Sangamon State
our clinic” and the Trump administration has University (SSU) – now University of Illinois
seemingly emboldened them, said Dreith. Springfield. Married with two children, she
She said the protesters have physically had moved to Springfield in 1966. While
blocked clients from getting into the clinic. at SSU, she earned a degree in “justice and
This form of antagonism, while on the rise, is the social order.” During that time she
not new. In 1982 a Hope Clinic doctor and was introduced to the women’s liberation
The 1970 book Our Bodies, Ourselves helped many movement.
his wife were kidnapped by members of an women realize that a lack of adequate and comprehensive
extremist group called the “Army of God.” reproductive health care was a common problem. Previously, Atkins had earned a college
Dreith said about 65% of patients come degree in Texas, and had attended the
18 | www.illinoistimes.com | November 12-18 , 2020University of Oklahoma where she had been In 1971, she started a chapter of RCAR in
active in campus ministry. While at SSU she Springfield. There were four clergy people
took a human sexuality course and read the who agreed to help counsel women and two
book Our Bodies, Ourselves. A touchstone volunteers, including herself. Atkins said two
of the second wave of feminism and the OB-GYN doctors in Springfield agreed to
women’s health movement, the book was refer women to the local RCAR chapter.
created “by and for women.” First published At the time, abortion was legal in Kansas
in 1970, the book was born of cooperative City, so women could be referred to seek
effort. At a women’s liberation conference assistance there. There were also doctors
in Boston in 1969, women shared their in Chicago who would perform abortions
accounts related to sexuality, pregnancy, illegally. For later term abortions, some
childbirth, menopause and other topics women would fly to New York City. Atkins
largely considered taboo at the time. Some said there was a couple in western Illinois, a
continued to meet and research, and together doctor and a nurse practitioner, who would
they published the book which was then also perform abortions. She said RCAR
distributed at women’s centers and regularly members would visit providers they referred
taught on liberal college campuses. women to see. “We wanted to make sure that
“It freed me up to think more about the places we told people about were safe.”
my body and how that relates to my She would tell the women she counseled,
total life. And slowly, my values began “I’m not here to question you. I’m not
to evolve,” said Atkins. Atkins found out here to make sure you’re making the right
about an organization based in New York decision. It’s up to you. I just want to help
City called the Religious Coalition for you.”
Abortion Rights (RCAR). The organization In Springfield, local women had founded
– still active and now called the Religious the city’s first birth control center in 1938.
Coalition for Reproductive Care – began According to the Sangamon County
as an “underground network of ministers Historical Society, the dominating presence
and rabbis called the Clergy Consultation of what is now St. John’s Hospital meant
Service (CCS), formed in 1967, six years doctors were largely averse to assisting
before the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court the effort, as the Catholic health provider
decision legalized abortion in the United opposed all forms of “unnatural” birth
States,” according to the group’s website. control. Volunteers largely ran the clinic,
RCAR helped women find safe pathways to and it went through a series of iterations and
abortion. Many of those involved were also names before becoming officially affiliated
participants in the civil rights movement. with Planned Parenthood in the ’70s.
They saw their work for racial justice to Atkins became the executive director
be connected to the fight for reproductive in 1973 and held the post until 1980. Her
health access. leadership came on the heels of the Roe v.
A Methodist, Atkins felt called toward Wade decision. Atkins went on to work in
the intersection of faith and women’s health. public health before retiring from St. John’s
LuAnn Atkins addressed the crowd at an SSU honor dinner. This photo first appeared in the fall, 1975 edition
of the university’s magazine. The magazine also had an article in it by Atkins where she wrote about how
her experience taking a human sexuality course put her on a path to leading the local Planned Parenthood.
PHOTO COURTESY UIS ARCHIVES
November 12-18, 2020 | Illinois Times | 19You can also read
