As the abortion battle rages on in states across America, one midwest politician is determined to make a difference for women everywhere. Here is how the governor of Illinois is putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to reproductive rights.
Always a Supporter
Illinois governor JB Pritzker has never shied away from the debate over abortion rights. His pro-choice stance is well-known to any who have heard him speak on the campaign trail.
Pro-Choice Since Birth
In fact, says Pritzker, his pro-choice stance has its roots in his own childhood, when he would march alongside his mother in abortion rights protests.
Using His Platform
So when the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022, Pritzker knew he had to use his position and high profile to do something about it.
Supreme Court Punted Abortion to States
That’s because the Supreme Court decision removed federal protection for abortion rights and threw the decision back to lawmakers at the state level.
Right-Wingers Wasted No Time
Conservatives across the land had been waiting for this chance for 50 years, and states like Texas, Florida, and Ohio sprung into action to ban abortions to varying degrees.
Pro-Choice on the Clock
Meanwhile, pro-choice groups were ready for battle, too. In several states, they went to work on proposed legislation to keep abortion legal within their borders.
Ohio Leading the Way
Ohio has been the most visible and quick to act in this regard, as Buckeye voters will decide in November whether or not to write abortion protection into the state constitution.
He Took Precautions
Meanwhile, back in Illinois, Pritzker signed a law when he took office in 2019 that deemed abortion and other reproductive rights to be basic “human rights.”
His Crystal Ball Was Right
It was an anticipatory move that proved to be right on the money when SCOTUS overturned Roe. For women in Illinois, at least they had Pritzker’s law to fall back on.
Working Beyond His Borders
Now, as states like Nevada and Arizona follow Ohio in bringing ballot measures before voters, Pritzker wants to extend the reach of his support beyond the borders of Illinois.
He Launched Something Big
So in mid-October, Pritzker announced that he had founded a nonprofit organization called Think Big America.
He Has a Theme
That title is something of a sequel to Pritzker’s “Think Big” campaign slogan that helped put him in office in the first place.
Building on His Roots
And the organization itself is a natural progression of the work Pritzker has done throughout his life, starting with those marches next to his mother.
Combating the Far Right
It’s also part of Pritzker’s efforts to combat what he calls “far-right extremism” that has erupted all over the country since the beginning of the first Donald Trump campaign.
He Plans to Expand
Pritzker plans to expand the scope of Think Big America in the coming years to help fight for LGBTQ rights and against censorship, like book bans.
A Clear Focus
For starters, though, Pritzker and his new organization are focused on helping ballot measures pass throughout the United States to ensure women have access to the care they need.
Skin in the Game
And Pritzker is putting his money where his mouth is as the only source of seed money for the organization in its early days.
He’s paying for the values he believes in.
An Extreme Threat
“Extremism poses an existential threat to our democracy. And I take this threat very seriously,” in a video announcing Think Big America.
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The post From Childhood Activist to Governor – Illinois Leader Launches Revolutionary Pro-Choice Nonprofit first appeared on Career Step Up
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