Arizona installs 1874 abortion ban. Reproductive rights are still threatened in Illinois.

Watercolor of Sedona. My art is on Instagram #klonskyart

L’shana tova to those who celebrate today.

We are in Sedona, Arizona for a few days and then a few more days at the Grand Canyon.

Arizona has some incredible beauty when it comes to the landscape along with some real ugliness when it comes to human rights.

After Arizona Republicans passed a 15 week abortion ban, a judge has ruled that an 1874 total ban on abortion in the states original constitution takes precedence.

You may recall that Arizona (We landed at the Barry Goldwater terminal at the Phoenix airport) was the last state to recognize Martin Luther King’s birthday.

Even Arizona Democrats are Kyrsten Sinema.

Meanwhile, back home in Illinois abortion is safe, but it’s not a lock.

The state legislature passed abortion protections prior to Dobbs. But statutes can be overturned if the legislature ever changes its mind.

The MAGA candidate for Illinois Governor, Darren Bailey, is a pro-life religious zealot.

Democrat JB Pritzker is pro-choice and will be elected. But he won’t be governor forever.

The Democrats need a state constitutional amendment that enshrines abortion as a right that can’t be changed by statute, by a governor or state legislature.

We need a constitutional amendment.

More pressing is the upcoming election for members of the Illinois Supreme Court.

Currently the Court has a four to three Democratic majority.

In November there will two contested seats.

One is in the second district, which is in Lake County, and one in the third district in DuPage County.

A MAGA majority on the Court can overturn all abortion protection in Illinois.

I strongly support the Democratic candidates. They are Elizabeth Rochford in the second district and Mary Kay O’Brien in the third.

The MAGA candidates are Michael J. Burke in the second and Mark Curran in the third.