Jeanne Ives, a former Illinois State Representative and founder of Breakthrough Ideas, has said that Illinois Democrat leaders should prioritize protecting children from irreversible transgender medical procedures rather than engaging in costly federal lawsuits.
“Illinois Democrat leaders should be protecting children from life-altering dangerous drugs and procedures instead of wasting money suing the federal government,” said Ives. “At some point, in the near future, “trans” procedures on youth will sprout class action lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and psychologist who participated in destroying healthy bodies instead of being truthful with children that there are only two sexes and they are immutable.”
In January 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14187, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.” According to a White House press release, the order aims to eliminate federal support for gender-affirming care for individuals under 19. It bars federal funding, promotion, or assistance for such care—including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries—and directs agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce restrictions, revise insurance coverage, and pursue legal action against providers. The order also mandates that grant recipients cease providing these treatments to minors.
According to Just the News, fourteen states and the District of Columbia have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging this executive order. Filed in Massachusetts, the lawsuit argues that the administration’s policy effectively deters healthcare providers from offering lawful treatments to transgender individuals under the age of 19. Plaintiffs—including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and others—are seeking an injunction to halt the implementation of the order, which they claim threatens the health and rights of vulnerable youth.
“We are asking the court to block these actions and protect access for patients who desperately need it,” said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “In Illinois, we have made it clear that seeking or providing health care for transgender youth and adults is not only lawful but welcome in our state.”
Ives served as a Republican Illinois State Representative for the 42nd District from 2013 to 2019. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a U.S. Army veteran, she has been an advocate for conservative issues such as pension reform, tax reform, school choice, and government transparency. In 2021, she founded Breakthrough Ideas—a conservative policy advocacy network based in suburban Illinois—and hosts “The Real Story” radio show on AM 560.
