New data from the Alan Guttmacher Institute reveals that Illinois has become the top destination for women seeking abortion services outside their home states. The research found that among approximately 150,000 women who crossed state boundaries to obtain abortions, nearly one in four—23 percent—traveled to Illinois, making it the leading state for out-of-state abortion procedures.
The findings suggest that Governor Jay Pritzker’s efforts to position Illinois as an accessible location for reproductive services are bearing fruit. The Democratic governor has been an outspoken advocate for abortion access and has worked alongside state lawmakers to implement policies that facilitate these services. The new data appears to confirm that these legislative and policy initiatives are achieving their intended goal of drawing patients from other states.
