FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 23, 2023

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On Anniversary of Dobbs Decision, 54% Increase in Abortions for Planned Parenthood Illinois

“Thousands of lives have been saved from abortion since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. I am thankful for the pro-life activists that remained committed to saving babies throughout the last 50 years and continue to remain committed to the cause today."

Shelbyville, Illinois:  Tomorrow pro-life Americans around the country will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the reversal of the 1973 Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal in all states.  Known as the Dobbs decision, the Mississippi court case limiting most abortions to the first 15 weeks in that state was challenged at the U.S. Supreme Court and the Court returned decision-making on abortion back to the states, finding no U.S. Constitutional right to an abortion.

Following the Dobbs decision, numerous states enacted laws to limit abortion.  In anticipation of the overturning of Roe, Planned Parenthood has been opening abortion businesses in towns along the Illinois Border since 2018.  This map shows abortion sites that have opened (not all Planned Parenthood) within the last five years and two more that are in the works.

In a recent interview Planned Parenthood Illinois noted that abortions are up 54%, that out of state clients are up 25%, and that the number of abortions performed after 16 weeks has also increased. Abortions after the first trimester are more complicated and dangerous, and more profitable for the abortion industry.

State Representative Brad Halbrook responded to the above news saying, “Thousands of lives have been saved from abortion since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. I am thankful for the pro-life activists that remained committed to saving babies throughout the last 50 years and continue to remain committed to the cause today.   In Illinois, we must double our efforts to combat the extreme abortion laws enacted by Democrats over the last five years. They don’t believe in safe, legal and rare or in protecting women.  It is shameful that our permissive abortion laws have made abortion tourism a growing industry in our state. Women coming here for an abortion are probably unaware that abortion facilities in Illinois are not licensed or inspected by the state.  They are literally putting their own life at risk when they walk into an abortionist office.

Also, taxpayers should know that this year Illinois Democrats included $18 million for an abortion hotline and training program that will make it easier for women to get an abortion in Illinois.  In the first six months after Democrats required Medicaid to cover elective abortions, the number of abortions paid for by taxpayers jumped a staggering 1,758% according to Illinois Department of Public Health data. Pregnant women are presumed Medicaid eligible making it likely that taxpayers have funded many abortions for women who are not Illinois residents or not Medicaid eligible.”

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