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HomeMy WebLinkAbout065-R-22 Reaffirming The City Of Evanston’s Commitment To The Protection Of Fundamental Reproductive Health Care Rights8/8/2022 65-R-22 A RESOLUTION TO THE PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE RIGHTS WHEREAS, the City of Evanston is a home rule municipality under the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and WHEREAS, on June 24, 2022 in the matter of Dobbs V. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Constitution of the United States does not confer a right to an abortion; and WHEREAS, the decision in Dobbs is the result of a national and decades long attack on bodily autonomy and necessary reproductive health care procedures and professionals; and WHEREAS, Dobbs, the underlying campaign leading to that decision, and the consequences of that decision —both intended and unintended --are putting the lives of millions of people at risk; and WHEREAS, the State of Illinois has passed the Reproductive Health Act (775 ILCS 55) that provides localities "may enact ordinances, standards, rules, or regulations that protect an individual's ability to freely exercise the fundamental rights set forth in [the] Act in a manner or to an extent equal to or greater than the protection provided in [the] Act;" and WHEREAS, the legislatures and governors of neighboring states have publicly stated that they may make or have already made it a criminal offense to seek, take or —1— Page 1 of 4 Doc ID: 968be321655f89c29c8947f80771890c28e75d17 65-R-22 undergo a variety of reproductive health procedures or medications, including abortion; and WHEREAS, the City of Evanston recognizes that abortion is a reproductive health care procedure that should be safe and available to those who choose such a procedure; and WHEREAS, as an employer, the City of Evanston desires to be a welcoming and safe place for its employees and in furtherance of that goal, will protect its employees' right to bodily autonomy and privacy and supports its employees' health and wellness — whether physical, mental or emotional; and WHEREAS, Evanston residents as well as persons visiting from other states may have questions about access to abortions or other reproductive health care services within the City of Evanston; and WHEREAS, the City of Evanston desires to make express --and openly articulate and reaffirm --its commitment to protecting an individual's ability to freely exercise their fundamental health care rights, including their reproductive health care rights, by protecting access to all such health care choices, including but not limited to those recognized in the Act. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS HOME RULE POWERS AND AUTHORITY: SECTION 1: That the foregoing recitals are hereby found as fact and incorporated herein by reference. -2- Page 2 of 4 Doc ID: 968be321655f89c29c8947f80771890c28e75d17 65-R-22 SECTION 2: That the City of Evanston's Human Resources division shall examine current policies and put forth recommendations to ensure that the City is providing the necessary options and protections for employees seeking any reproductive health care services, including abortions, including within employee health insurance plans, paid leave policies, privacy policies, and more. SECTION 3: Be it further resolved: That the City of Evanston's Health and Human Services Department and Evanston's 311 Information Service are hereby directed to coordinate with local nonprofit experts to prepare for any incoming requests from residents, and nonresidents alike, for information about reproductive health care services including how and where to access them and, in so doing, the HHS Department and 311 Service are further directed to develop and implement protocols to maintain the privacy and shield the identity of those persons making such inquiries -- particularly those persons that reside outside of Illinois. SECTION 4: Be it further resolved: The Purchasing Department is hereby directed to explore means by which to include a contractor's provision of reproductive health care options as a criterion to be considered in evaluating contractors in the award of contracts, consistent with the City's other procurement policies. SECTION 5: Be it further resolved: That the Evanston Police Department is hereby directed to develop and implement protocols to maintain the privacy and shield the identity of persons being sought by law enforcement from other jurisdictions where reproductive health care choices have been criminalized and/or where law enforcement seeks to identify those who have terminated a pregnancy or otherwise received reproductive health care services or medical treatment of any kind in Illinois. —3— Page 3 of 4 Doc ID: 968be321655f89c29c8947f80771890c28e75d17 65-R-22 SECTION 6: Human Resources, Health and Human Services, 311 Information Service, Procurement, and the Police Department shall all report back to City Council concerning the progress made on these directives at the first regularly scheduled meeting in March, 2023. SECTION 7: Resolution 65-R-22 shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law. Attest: Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk Adopted: August 8 , 2022 Daniel Biss, Mayor Approved as to form: dg— Derke Price, Interim Corporation Counsel Page 4 of 4 Doc ID: 968be321655f89c29c8947f80771890c28e75d17