The Illinois Attorney General says he will not take any immediate action against Danville over the measure passed by the council and mayor. The proposal restricts drugs and equipment that can be used in abortions. But the plan got a last minute amendment Tuesday night that said it would not be in effect until it is approved by a Declaratory Judgement by a Judge.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul said “After stepping up to the brink of open defiance of state law, I am relieved that the city of Danville heard the concerns I raised in the letter I sent earlier this week and those raised by fellow advocates. Ultimately, after a last-minute amendment, the City Council decided to pass an amended ordinance that, by its own terms, is not in effect.
I will not express any opinion as to ordinances the City Council might consider in the future except to reiterate what I said in my May 1, 2023 letter- that any attempt by the City of Danville to restrict the fundamental right to access abortion care is a violation of Illinois law and will not go unchallenged.
The Attorney General said in his letter to Mayor Rickey Williams, “While I disagree with your symbolic gesture, I am pleased that the residents of Danville continue to have the full and effective ability to exercise their rights under the Reproductive Health Act.”
Because of the amendment that was attacked to the measure, the proposed Women’s Health Clinic planned on Logan Avenue in Danville would be allowed to open. It would only be restricted after a declaratory judgement allowed the Danville ordinance to go into effect. The Illinois Attorney General feels the Illinois law will win the day.
A crowd gave impassioned statements on the proposal at the City Council meeting on Tuesday. Chad Baker was there covering the news of the event…
State Senator Paul Faraci had urged the state’s attorney general to take immediate action against the mandate. He said “The government should not get involved in decisions made between a person and their doctor. People deserve to have access to reproductive healthcare free from infringement from politicians,”
The Danville City Council Tuesday night also acted on a plan to obtain a one million dollar grant designed to help the police department enhance violent crime prevention and community/police development. The grant may be awarded by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity made available through a special house bill. The money would be used to create a Police Training Center that would be housed in Danville’s Public Works facility on Voorhees Street. It also would go toward improvements to Friendly Town, police equipment and supplies, and the enhancement of police/community projects.
