On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court finalized the decision to strike down Roe V. Wade – which will overturn abortion rights in many states across the country. The decision marks the reversal of a law passed in 1973. access to safe and legal pregnancy termination services will be cut off for millions of people. But what does this mean for abortion in Illinois?
Bans on abortions are not – and won’t likely be – a nationwide reality.
While many states have taken measures to increase restrictions on safe abortions – with some banning it altogether – others have not followed suit.
The end of Roe V. Wade has raised questions for pro-choice supporters in all states, including Illinois. In this post, we want to clear up some of the biggest concerns about Illinois abortion laws. Let’s get into it.
Is Abortion Legal in Illinois?
Yes. Abortion in Illinois is still legal, even after the Roe V. Wade decision. Back in 2019, the Illinois Reproductive Health Act was passed. The goal of this Illinois abortion legislation is to protect pro-choice if Roe V. Wade was ever overturned. In other words, it put abortion rights into federal law, making it a fundamental right for people living in Illinois.
Where Are Abortions Legal and Illegal?
Abortion laws vary greatly from state to state. With the Roe V. Wade decision, these laws will become stricter in many states across the country. Here are the current laws in each state – and what they will probably look like with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Alabama – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal abortions will likely be banned with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Alaska – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Arizona – Accessible, with restrictions. Safe and legal abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Arkansas – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- California – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Colorado – Abortions are mostly accessible. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Connecticut – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Delaware – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Florida – Severely restricted. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Georgia – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Hawaii – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Idaho – Restricted. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Illinois – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Indiana – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Iowa – Restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will be under attack but likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Kansas – Restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be severely restricted with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Kentucky – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Louisiana – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Maine – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Maryland – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Massachusetts – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Michigan – Restricted. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be severely restricted with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Minnesota – Mostly accessible with some restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Mississippi – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Missouri – Severely restricted. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Montana – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Nebraska – Restricted. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Nevada – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- New Hampshire – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- New Jersey – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- New Mexico – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- New York – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- North Carolina – Restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will be under attack but likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- North Dakota – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Ohio – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Oklahoma – Eliminated entirely, no access. This law will likely stay in effect with Roe V. Wade overturned. Oklahoma has the most restrictive abortion laws in the United States.
- Oregon – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Pennsylvania – Restricted. Safe and legal access to abortions will be under attack but likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Rhode Island – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- South Carolina – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- South Dakota – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Tennessee – Severely restricted. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Texas – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 6 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Utah – Restricted. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Vermont – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Virginia – Abortions are mostly accessible. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Washington – Accessible with little to no restrictions. These laws are likely protected with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- West Virginia – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Wisconsin – Severely restricted. Abortion is banned after 20 weeks. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
- Wyoming – Severely restricted. Safe and legal access to abortions will likely be banned altogether with Roe V. Wade overturned.
Can You Get Abortion Medication in Illinois?
Yes. People still have access to abortion pills under Illinois abortion laws – and will likely continue to even with Roe V. Wade being overturned. This medication may be provided up to 11 weeks into the pregnancy, which can be shipped by mail or taken at a credible abortion facility.
Does Insurance Cover Abortions in Illinois?
Due to abortion laws in Illinois, most private health insurance providers are required to cover abortions in the same way they cover pregnancy-related care – regardless of the reason for the abortion. This is part of the Illinois Reproductive Health Act.
Cost of Abortions in Illinois
This cost can vary based on insurance and the stage of the pregnancy. For the uninsured, the cost will likely be around $500-700 for an abortion procedure in the first trimester. For abortions later in the pregnancy, costs can be in the ballpark of $3,000.
When Can You No Longer Get an Abortion in Illinois?
Even though policies surrounding abortions in Illinois are laxer than most states, there are still restrictions. A pregnant person can opt for an abortion up until roughly 24 weeks. After this cutoff, there must be a medical need for an abortion to be performed.
What Happens to the Surrounding States is Roe V. Wade is Overturned?
Illinois is surrounded by states with strict abortion laws. Some of these states have trigger laws that would ban abortion completely with Roe V. Wade overturned. In this scenario, people in the surrounding states will likely travel to get an abortion in Illinois – increasing the volume of patients in abortion facilities.
Wrap Up
With Roe V. Wade overturned, it will be a big transition in the United States. Pro-choice is now significantly impacted, which will likely result in people traveling to legal states to get an abortion. Illinois abortion law allows people to seek safe and legal abortions – and will continue to with Roe V. Wade overturned.
Hopefully, this article has cleared up some concerns about abortion in Illinois and the rest of the country. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Midwest Injury Lawyers. We’re personal injury attorneys, but we’re well versed in Illinois law and may be able to clear up your concerns.
Give us a call at (312) 786-5881 or send us a message online to get started.