Midwest
Gov. JB Pritzker vows Illinois will boost sex changes after decisive Trump victory
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker pledged Saturday to keep his state open to transgender treatment after the issue, particularly regarding minors, became a bone of partisan contention during the presidential election.
The billionaire governor, whose family is deeply involved in the transgender movement, posted the tweet to mark Transgender Awareness Week.
“This Transgender Awareness Week, I want you to know that I see you and have your back as governor,” wrote Pritzker. “Illinois has enshrined protections for gender-affirming care to meet this moment — and because of that, you will have a home here always.”
OHIO SENATE PASSES BILL THAT WOULD RESTRICT TRANSGENDER STUDENT ACCESS TO SCHOOL BATHROOMS
His state is one of several, including Minnesota and California, critics say foster a climate that encourages some children to seek so-called “gender-affirming care.”
Pritzker’s cousin, Jennifer, was born a male but now identifies as a female and is an outspoken proponent of transgender treatment. Jennifer (née James) Pritzker was a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army National Guard and is a father of three.
Jennifer Pritzker also leads the Chicago-based Tawani Foundation, which awards grants to organizations that support “gender and human sexuality,” according to its website. The Pritzker family fortune was made in Hyatt Hotels.
Col. Jennifer Pritzker, the first openly transgender billionaire, poses for pictures at Hyatt Hotel. (Vince Talotta/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
“Continuing my family’s tradition of putting personal philanthropy into service for the public good, the Tawani Foundation strives to make grants that empower the organizations we support to realize and build on their missions,” Jennifer wrote on the foundation’s website.
TRUMP HHS COULD REVERSE BIDEN-HARRIS POLICIES ON GENDER TREATMENTS FOR MINORS
Illinois is one of the most progressive states in the nation when it comes to minors who identify as the opposite sex.
Gov. Pritzker enacted guidance through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHR) in December 2021 about non-discrimination protections for “transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming students” under the Illinois Human Rights Act of 1979.
“Ensuring every Illinois student has access to a safe, validating learning environment where they can be their true self is a top priority for my administration,” Pritzker said in a release. “This guidance from the Illinois Department of Human Rights will provide students, caregivers, and educators another tool to ensure classrooms are welcoming, affirming, and inclusive for all students.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker attends the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown Sept. 24, 2024, in New York City. (John Nacion/Getty Images)
In Illinois, biological males can compete with females under Pritzker’s guidance in school or club sports.
Additionally, “use of restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms may not be restricted based upon a student’s physical anatomy or chromosomal sex. A student must be permitted to access restrooms or bathrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms that align with their gender-related identity and without having to provide documentation or other proof of gender,” according to the IDHR.
Pritzker’s policy clarifies that “discomfort or privacy concerns of other students, teachers, or parents” are “not valid reasons to deny or limit the full and equal use of facilities based on a student’s gender-related identity.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a transgender support rally at Federal Building Plaza April 27, 2022, in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The 2024 presidential election’s nationwide GOP mandate is giving Democrats who publicly supported “gender-affirming” policies for minors pause.
In a February 2023 video, President-elect Trump said, “I will then ask Congress to permanently stop federal taxpayer dollars from being used to promote or pay for these procedures and pass a law prohibiting child sexual mutilation in all 50 states.”
In Illinois, Medicaid can cover gender transition surgeries and drugs for those who are 21 years or older under Gov. Pritzker.
Pritzker’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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Detroit Pistons forced Game 7 with a 115-94 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 in Cleveland on Friday.
Pistons forced Game 7 with a 115-94 win over the Cavaliers in Game 6 in Cleveland on Friday.
Detroit — After staving off elimination Friday night at Rocket Arena, the Detroit Pistons will face the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday night, with the series tied 3-3. If the Pistons win Game 7, they will reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2008 and will compete against the New York Knicks.
In preparation, the Pistons released their final injury report for the series, which lists Kevin Huerter, Caris LeVert, and Duncan Robinson as questionable for Game 7. LeVert (right heel contusion) and Robinson (lower back soreness) were listed as questionable ahead of the Pistons’ 115-94 Game 6 victory but played vital roles in the win.
Robinson returned to the lineup after missing Game 5 Wednesday night, finishing with 14 points while shooting 4-of-7 from behind the arc in 20 minutes. However, he returned from the injury by coming off the bench for the first time this season. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff chose to keep Daniss Jenkins in the starting lineup to assess Robinson’s condition.
Huerter has been listed as questionable for the third time since his return for a left adductor strain that forced him to miss seven consecutive games. He sustained the injury during the Pistons’ first-round series against the Orlando Magic. He played for three minutes in his comeback on Wednesday night but left the game shortly thereafter. Despite being available, Huerter did not play in Game 6.
However, the most significant reveal from the Pistons’ injury report was the noticeable absence of Jalen Duren. The All-Star center rolled his left ankle midway through the third quarter of Game 6 after colliding with Cavaliers guard James Harden.
Bickerstaff substituted Duren immediately for Paul Reed. He made a couple of trips to the locker room, but returned at the start of the fourth quarter. As a result, Duren had his most impactful game of the series, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds and two blocks.
NBA Playoffs, second round: No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 4 Cavaliers
Series tied 3-3
Game 1: Pistons 111, Cavaliers 101
Game 2: Pistons 107, Cavaliers 97
Game 3: Cavaliers 116, Pistons 109
Game 4: Cavaliers 112, Pistons 103
Game 5: Cavaliers 117, Pistons 113 (OT)
Game 6: Pistons 115, Cavaliers 94
Game 7: at Detroit, Sunday, 8 p.m. (Amazon Prime)
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
MILWAUKEE – The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s 134th commencement ceremony is this weekend, and for one family, this year’s class proves to be extra special.
Son graduating with honors
What they’re saying:
“It just feels like it hasn’t set in quite yet, but once it does, I’m sure it’ll feel pretty good,” said Will Peters, who is graduating with honors in computer science and as a Wisconsin Army National Guard commissioned officer.
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But there’s another milestone that makes this year’s graduation one that Peters will always remember.
Mother getting master’s degree
What they’re saying:
“He’s getting his undergraduate degree, and I’m getting my master’s degree in nursing,” said Mary Peters, Will’s mother.
That’s right: Both mother and son are crossing the graduation stage. Mary, a UWM academic program specialist as well, said she will cherish the moment forever.
“It’s just exciting, because I graduated from UW-Milwaukee with my nursing degree, my undergraduate, in December 2001,” she said. “I went back for my master’s degree, and I didn’t know that Will and I are going to be graduating the same day.”
Peters family Panther pride
Dig deeper:
Chris Peters is cheering them on, not only as father and husband, but also as a UWM faculty member and alumnus.
“We really hope that Will would carry on what became a family tradition of graduating from UWM. We believe in UWM, we believe that we got a very high-quality education,” he said.
Chris, Mary and Will Peters
Just like his wife, Chris graduated from UWM with a bachelor’s in nursing and eventually earned his doctorate while working for the university.
“I’m very proud of my wife and my son,” he said. “It’s got a lot of the resources of a large university, but it’s still small enough to know you by name and take care of people who needed it, and it’s been a great experience for the whole family.”
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For the Peters family, Panther pride will always run deep.
“We’re Panthers. We’re proud to work here. We’re proud to be alumni here. We’re proud of what UWM has done for us, and we’re now working for the opportunity to give back to the campus and the students,” said Chris.
The Source: FOX6 News interviewed the Peters family.
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota’s Unsung State Park Unit Is An Idyllic Minneapolis Day Trip To Boat, Fish, And Hike – Islands
Minnesota is serious about its lakes. Their “Land of 10,000 Lakes” slogan isn’t an exaggeration. In fact, the true count is 11,842, based on their definition of what constitutes a lake, which Wisconsin likes to argue about with them. Regardless of whose definition you use, Minnesota has a lot of lakes to choose from, which means you can still find a little slice of solitary lakeside serenity if you know where to look. One of those places is Greenleaf Lake.
Idyllic Greenleaf is only about 1.5 hours from Minneapolis, and it’s never crowded — in fact, there’s a good chance you’ll have it all to yourself. Most of the bigger, more popular lakes, like Red Lake, Leech Lake, and Lake Superior’s shoreline, are in Minnesota’s northern half, several hours from the Twin Cities. But there’s no need to wander so far from urban amenities and the well-connected airport, when you can enjoy an idyllic day on Greenleaf Lake instead.
The state recreation area that protects this beautiful lake started as a grassroots effort to establish a state park within 30 miles of every Minnesotan. After years of work, the agreements, land acquisition, and funding all finally fell into place, and the park was transferred to the state in 2009. Almost 20 years later, the park is still an unassuming and peaceful place for a day trip from Minneapolis for those who don’t need much to enjoy the outdoors.
Enjoying Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area
The first thing to know about Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area is that this park embraces its primitive natural habitat. There are actually two lakes in the park, Greenleaf and Sioux, but there aren’t many facilities here beyond the peaceful, natural surroundings. The park’s entrance and only parking area is at Greenleaf Lake, which has a small boat launch, a fishing pier, and a few picnic tables, all surrounded by trees and vegetation. Enjoy a lazy morning of boating and fishing for panfish, pike, walleye, and largemouth bass on the lake, followed by a delicious picnic lunch while you read away the afternoon with only the birds to keep you company. Minnesota may be known for having some of the friendliest people in America, but you’re unlikely to run into more than a handful here. Quiet solitude awaits at this park.
The park’s one hiking trail begins at the parking area and winds just a mile through an open field and into a small forest south of Greenleaf Lake, before you’ll have to turn around and return the way you came. Bring insect-repellent clothes and spray to protect your skin, as bugs can be overwhelming in the warm seasons, and ticks are always a possibility in the woods. One Google reviewer described the trail as unwalkable due to the bugs. The rest of the park, including Sioux Lake, isn’t easily accessible. Most visitors won’t ever see Sioux Lake because there are no trails to it.
The lack of park facilities has turned off some visitors and contributed to some poor reviews on Tripadvisor. The people that leave Greenleaf Lake five-star reviews on Google are the ones that just enjoy being out in nature. If you prefer a Minnesota state park with more amenities, consider Lake Bemidji State Park instead.
Planning your day at Greenleaf Lake
While Minneapolis is one of America’s best cities for getting around without a car, you’ll need one to explore beyond the metro area. Getting to Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area is easy with GPS, but don’t rely on following park signs once you get close. Visitors report there aren’t any on the small backroads that lead to the park. The entrance road is nothing fancy, a narrow dirt road that leads to a small parking area. If you’re visiting just to get your park passport stamp, it’s not actually at the park. It’s at the DNR office in Hutchinson.
Before arriving at Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area, be sure to stop for a restroom break. There are no facilities, sometimes not even a porta-potty, at the park. The closest convenience stores are in Litchfield, Dassel, or Hutchinson, each about 15 to 20 minutes from the parking area at Greenleaf Lake. If you’re a seasoned backpacker and are prepared to do your business in the woods, make sure you follow Leave No Trace principles.
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