CLAIM

We are thrilled to report that Governor Quinn signed into law the bill protecting pregnant women against shackling while in Cook County custody. We applaud Governor Quinn and the bill’s lead sponsors, Representative Robyn Gabel and Senator Toi Hutchinson. We thank our 40 coalition partners who worked so hard to pass the bill, especially Mary Dixon and Khadine Bennett of the ACLU of Illinois. We especially thank the courageous, generous women who gave testimony so that mothers will no longer suffer the violations and pain that they survived when they gave birth while in correctional custody.

Shackles applied at any time during pregnancy pose medical risk for the mother and fetus. Pregnant women are at risk of falling because their center of gravity shifts, and handcuffs prevent them from breaking their fall. Shackles can cause deadly blood clots, and the extreme stress they create for mothers can cause premature labor and can affect the baby’s brain development.

The bill codifies the improvements that Sheriff Dart and his staff made in 2010 and 2011. It provides exceptions to the ban on handcuffs in extraordinary circumstances unless the woman is in labor, and creates a reporting provision for transparency and accountability.
   
Here is the Chicago Tribune's coverage.