For people seeking transgender health services in Peoria, Illinois, chances are the first person they’ll talk to is Dana Garber. Garber is the transgender hormone intake coordinator at the Peoria Planned Parenthood, the only clinic in the area that offers hormone-replacement therapy for people seeking gender transition.
With Democrats in firm control of the Illinois General Assembly, abortion rights might seem to be safe in the state. But what would happen if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which made abortion legal across the country in 1973? Abortion-rights supporters worry that an Illinois statute from 1975 could act as a “trigger law,” automatically banning abortions in the state.
House Speaker Paul Ryan announced Thursday that Republicans will — once again — vote to cut off federal tax dollars for Planned Parenthood. They are planning to include the measure as part of a bigger upcoming bill to repeal pillars of Obamacare. This isn't the first time that they have tried to pass this type of legislation — President Obama vetoed a similar bill last January.
Planned Parenthood health centers in Peoria, Pekin and Bloomington added services in August for transgender patients. Members of the transgender community welcome the news, but say there’s still a void in the treatment that’s available.
Illinois State Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) calls 10-term incumenbent John Shimkus a career politician who's making decisions to appeal to special interests. The Republican is challenging Shimkus in the 33-county 15th Congressional District.
