Abortion rights loom over Illinois’ Supreme Court

Plus, a queer prom in a suburb at a crossroads. Here's what you need to know today.

To view this email as a web page, click here. Today's Rundown is brought to you by WBEZ members and   by Hunter Clauss   Hey there, it’s Friday! And I’m losing my mind this week. My husband texted me to put a bottle of rosé in the fridge, but I thought he meant a literal rose that he has in a vase. Here’s what you need to know today. 1. Could the Illinois Supreme Court impact abortion rights in the state?   Illinois has laws in place to protect abortion rights if Roe v. Wade is overturned, but an Illinois Supreme Court “dominated by Republicans could potentially have a vast impact on abortion laws in Illinois,” reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Democrats currently have a 4-3 majority on the state’s highest court, but that could change this year. A GOP-allied political action committee — Citizens for Judicial Fairness — is shaping up to be a force in the upcoming Supreme Court election contests. The group last month received $6.24 million from hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin. (Speaking of Griffin, he dropped another $25 million into the GOP gubernatorial bid of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, who identifies as “pro-life.”) Meanwhile, Chicago will host a major abortion rights rally on May 14, just days before early voting begins in Illinois for the primary election. [Chicago Sun-Times] In D.C., the Senate is expected to vote next week on codifying Roe v. Wade into law, a move that will mostly be symbolic because Democrats do not have enough votes to overcome a Republican filibuster. [AP]  In Louisiana, Republicans advanced a bill that would classify abortion as homicide and allow prosecutors to criminally charge patients. [Washington Post] 2. Illinois Democrats want the state to be a power player in choosing presidential nominees   The Democratic Party of Illinois wants the state to be one of the first to hold its primary in the 2024 election, and after the fiasco Iowa suffered in 2020, the timing may be right, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. The Democratic National Committee in recent weeks “seems inclined to move up New Hampshire to the first spot, with Nevada and South Carolina following — as they do now,” the Sun-Times reports. “Illinois is competing for the Midwest slot — or, if the DNC decides to hold five early votes, then the wildcard fifth spot.” [Chicago Sun-Times] It’s unclear how much of a “power player” Illinois would be when President Joe Biden says he’s planning for another campaign. However, 52% of Americans said they don’t think Biden will run again, according to a Wall Street Journal poll from March. [WSJ] Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders recently said he “has not ruled out another run for president” if Biden bows out. [Washington Post] 3. Chicago is one step closer to getting a casino. And it’ll have more than just slot machines.   The bid selected by Mayor Lori Lightfoot this week includes a 3,000-seat theater, a two-acre outdoor park, an outdoor music venue and an extended riverwalk, reports Block Club Chicago. Bally’s Corporation wants to build a $1.7 billion casino and resort in the city’s River West neighborhood on the site of the Chicago Tribune printing plant. The plan, which now needs approval from the City Council, is designed in a way to appeal to people who are not interested in gambling, supporters say. When it comes to gambling, the casino includes 3,400 slots and 170 table games, as well as a 500-room hotel for out-of-towners. There would also be six restaurants, cafes and a food hall. [Block Club] Meanwhile, does Lightfoot hold a winning hand with the Bally’s bid? Veteran City Hall reporter Fran Spielman at the Sun-Times looks at the political battle ahead in the City Council. [Sun-Times] 4. Doctor Strange and the multiverse of summer movie madness   Hollywood hopes the new Doctor Strange movie will usher in the big return of the summer blockbuster season after two years of pandemic uncertainty that kept many moviegoers at home. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, which is estimated to bring in anywhere from $160 million to $180 million in its domestic debut, features a ticked off Scarlet Witch, a giant eyeball with tentacles, some cape tricks and what could be some major reveals that set up a new direction for the Marvel movies. [Hollywood Reporter] The rest of this summer’s lineup features a “healthy mix of genres” that is encouraging, reports The Washington Post. It includes a remake of Firestarter, based on the Stephen King novel, that stars Zac Efron. There’s also The Bob’s Burgers Movie, Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic World Dominion, Elvis and Bullet Train, which stars Brad Pitt and Bad Bunny. [WaPo] 5. A Queer Prom was held in a suburb where the nation’s culture wars are playing out. The event sold out.   On a recent Friday night, about 100 teens had come together in St. Charles, Ill., to celebrate who they are, unaware that organizers of the sold-out event had panicked when a local newspaper listed the address and potentially made the event a target of protesters.  No protesters showed up, but the teens and some of their parents did, all eager for acceptance and connection in a town at a crossroads, reports Aaron Gettinger for WBEZ. For some students, the prom offered a rare opportunity for them to just be themselves.  “Most of the kids pass as straight when they’re not here,” said an 18-year-old student who asked that his name not be used because he has not come out to his parents. “They can be open about who they are, especially since this is a Queer Prom. They can enunciate the fact that they’re queer, whereas at school you don’t dress up, you don’t act in a certain way, you just live your life.” [WBEZ] SPONSORED BY UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICINE Sickness is relentless. So are we. Tougher than cancer. Smarter than heart disease. Stronger than Crohn’s disease. The University of Chicago Medicine is a leading community of physicians, researchers and game changers. Using the most advanced treatment options available today, our team of experts embrace challenges to make a difference in your life.    Learn more about our relentless fight against: Cancer Crohn’s Disease Heart Disease Visit us online to schedule a video or in-person visit at a location near you, or call 1-888-824-0200.  Here's what else is happening Masks are recommended but remain optional for restaurants, bars and other indoor spaces in Cook County as COVID-19 cases rise, local officials say. [Chicago Sun-Times] U.S. employers added 428,000 jobs last month as the labor market remains strong. [NPR] A SpaceX launch apparently looks like a “space jellyfish” in the pre-dawn darkness. [NPR] Torn-down and problematic monuments, such as a memorial of Robert E. Lee, get reused by a Chicago artist. [WBEZ] Oh, and one more thing... Attorney Gloria Allred, who represented “Jane Roe” in Roe v. Wade, talks about abortion rights in the new episode of Art of Power and how she almost died from a back-alley abortion. “It did teach me a lesson,” Allred tells Art of Power host Aarti Shahani. “And the lesson is that abortion should be safe, legal, affordable and available.”  Allred explains how that traumatic life event changed her worldview and preceded her decades-long career in civil rights law. [WBEZ] Tell me something good Mother’s Day is this Sunday. So I’d like to know what is one of your fondest memories of your mom? Kassandra writes:  “My fondest memories of my mom include her favorite sayings: ‘Pretty is as pretty does’ and ‘if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.’ “She was generally superstitious as well, which I’ve inherited.  One of the greatest humans ever created, and she made Christmas special for each member of our family.” Dawn Lantero writes:  “My mom sewed my prom dress. We could have afforded a store bought one but she took the time to take me shopping for the most beautiful sky blue fabric and sewed a beautiful, stylish gown for my senior prom. I am still lucky to have my 90-year-old mom in my life!” And George Gerdow writes:  “For Mother’s Day, my wife and I took my mother to see the movie Frida at Century Centre Cinema on Diversey Avenue. During the film, someone sitting behind my mother kept kicking her seat.  “Finally, she had had enough. She turned around and said, ‘I’ll kick you in the head, you son of a b****!’ The kicking stopped. A survivor of Nazi slave labor, she could be quite fierce.” Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms! And thank you to everyone who wrote in this week. I’m sorry I couldn’t share all of the lovely memories, but it was nice reading them.  therundown@wbez.org | @whuntah Thanks for reading and have a nice night! I'll see you on Monday. — Hunter Clauss P.S. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to receive The Rundown in your inbox. VIEW OUR BROADCAST SCHEDULE ©Chicago Public Media Inc 848 East Grand Ave, Navy Pier Chicago, IL 60611 Please do not reply to this email. If you need assistance, you may contact us here. You are receiving this email because you are a WBEZ member or signed up to receive email communications from us. You can unsubscribe from The Rundown here. CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA'S PRIVACY POLICY