Springfield, IL— According to a new report, 1 in 4 patients that have to travel across state lines for an abortion, seek care in Illinois. In 2025, Illinois providers served 35,000 out of state patients coming from neighboring states in the Midwest and all across the country. In post Roe v. Wade America, Illinois Democrats continue to maintain our state’s reputation as a place where patients have the right to autonomy over their bodies.
In response, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez said the following:
“While Republicans across the country have wasted no time implementing extreme abortion bans and restricting birth control access, Illinois Democrats have enshrined the right to an abortion in state law, passed nation-leading protections for patients and providers, and strengthened access. We know that the ILGOP would prefer to throw away these protections, but Illinois Democrats will remain unwavering in our state remaining a lifeline for patients seeking comprehensive reproductive care.”
Key excerpts from WBEZ Chicago: Illinois remains abortion ‘safe haven’ for out-of-state patients in 2025, report shows
By Isabela Nieto
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“The data from the Guttmacher Institute shows no other state came close to Illinois in terms of volume last year, with providers here performing the procedure at a rate nearly double the state with the next highest level of abortions on out-of-state patients, North Carolina.”
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“At Planned Parenthood’s Carbondale facility, she said 90% of patients receiving abortions came from Tennessee and Kentucky, states that ban abortions except in instances where a pregnant person’s life is endangered.”
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“And at Planned Parenthood’s Champaign offices, 48% of patients were from Indiana, where abortions are banned except in cases of rape, incest and fetal abnormalities or to save the pregnant person’s life.”
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“They know that Illinois is a safe-haven state, and they can get access to quality, evidence-based medicine, regardless of the type of care that they desire,” she said. “Whether it’s a medical or procedural abortion, they can get easy access to that.”- Adrienne White-Faines, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois.
