Chicago, IL — In case you missed it, Donald Trump’s Big, Ugly Budget gutted Medicaid, forcing Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to pause abortion services. Abortion providers across Illinois anticipate a large influx of patients, and welcome them with open arms. Planned Parenthood of Illinois has already seen seven times more patients from Wisconsin since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In response, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez released the following statement:
“Trump’s attacks on abortion didn’t stop at handpicking the Supreme Court that would overturn a 50-year precedent. What we’re seeing in Wisconsin is a direct consequence of their backdoor abortion ban through the Big, Ugly Budget. In Illinois, we will lead by example and will keep welcoming patients from Wisconsin and beyond. Illinois Democrats will always fight to ensure patients get the comprehensive care they deserve.”
Thanks to Illinois Democrats, Illinois is a national safe haven for reproductive health, serving about 35,000 out-of-state patients last year. Democrats have enshrined the right to an abortion in state law, passed nation-leading protections for patients and providers, and continued investing in reproductive health care in the FY26 budget.
On the second anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Chair Hernandez wrote an op-ed describing how Illinois continues to serve as a safe haven for out-of-state patients.
