The Illinois House will launch four working groups to address the state’s “most important issues,” including mental health and abortion services post-Roe. [Health News Illinois 7.26.2022]

The Democrat-led committees will work with stakeholders and community advocates to develop a consensus on issues and “meaningfully reform our laws,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside.

“Illinois has done a lot of important work to ensure we remain an outlier in the Midwest in protecting reproductive health and shielding our citizens from the nationwide scourge of gun violence,” Welch said. “But after the extremist Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and the tragedy that took place in Highland Park, it is apparent that we have more work to do.”

Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, will lead the nine-member Reproductive Health and the Dobbs Decision Working Group, while Rep. Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park, will lead the 12-member Mental Health Working Group.

Other groups will focus on firearm safety and social media and online extremism.

Welch’s office said the groups will start immediately, though no timeline was given for the work.

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