Michael Madigan, former Illinois House speaker, to resign seat
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat who virtually set Illinois’ political agenda as House speaker for four decades before his ouster last month, announced Thursday that he is resigning his seat in the Legislature. Madigan, the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, was tarnished by a federal investigation of Statehouse bribery that implicated him. He has not been charged with wrongdoing and maintains his innocence. But he lost his bid for a 19th term as speaker to Democrat Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina’s governor on Thursday signed a law banning most abortions, one of his top priorities since he took office more than four years ago. Planned Parenthood immediately sued, effectively preventing the measure from taking effect.
The “South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act” is similar to abortion restriction laws that a dozen states have previously passed. All are tied up in court. Federal law, which takes precedence over state law, currently allows abortion.
“There’s a lot of happy hearts beating across South Carolina right now,” Republican Gov. Henry Mcmaster said. After he signed the bill, a group of lawmakers and members of the public began singing the words “Praise God” to the tune of “Amazing Grace.”
The House passed its bill by a 79-35 vote Wednesday after hours of emotional testimony from supporters and opponents, and gave the measure final approval on Thursday. Moments after the second vote Thursday, Planned Parenthood announced that it was filing a lawsuit.
Supporters of restrictive abortion laws are trying to get the issue before the U.S. Supreme Court in the hopes that, with three justices appointed by former President Donald Trump, the court will overturn Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that abortion is legal until a fetus is viable outside the womb – months after a heartbeat can be detected, said Jenny Black, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.