Emily Werth says she has seen young people go through “scary and stress-inducing court hearings so they can get an abortion without having to involve their parents.
The minors routinely express relief after the hearings, in which local judges almost always approve requested waivers of Illinois’ parental notification law for minors seeking abortions, according to Werth, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.
“There’s just an immense amount of anxiety created by having to go through this process,” said Werth, who has represented minors in the Chicago area, as well as a “handful” every year in Sangamon County and other central Illinois counties. “They’re relieved to be through it and be able to do what is best for them.”
This story was co-published with Illinois Times.
Facebook posts by two Springfield police officers last year harmed police operations and community relations. That was the conclusion of internal affairs investigations by the city police department, as well as reactions from capital city activists working to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the people they serve.
In a widely reported incident last May, Officer Andrew Barnes criticized the city’s two Black city council members. In a post on his personal Facebook page, Barnes called Ald. Shawn Gregory a “fucking idiot.” Barnes was pushing back on comments made by Gregory and then-Ald. Doris Turner in which the two criticized how police responded to block parties in Gregory’s majority-Black ward.
Can cops say that? illinoistimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from illinoistimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
CHICAGO â Mayor Lori Lightfoot called for a new foot-pursuit policy to be implemented by the Chicago Police Department before the start of summer after a city cop shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo last week following a chase.
On Monday, Lightfoot also called for an investigation into how the boy came into possession of a gun, saying an adult gave a weapon to a child and must be held accountable.
âThis is a complicated story. Itâs not my story to tell, particularly not as our understanding of the facts is evolving,â Lightfoot said. âWhat I do know and what I will say is Ms. Toledo and her family need our love and support in this moment, not our withering judgment.â
Dems push repeal of abortion notification law in effect since 2013 starcourier.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from starcourier.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.