Illinois Abortion Access: A Haven for Out-of-State Patients & New Support Fund
Illinois abortion providers cared for 23% of the approximately 155,000 Americans who traveled out of state to access abortion care in 2024, according to research from the Guttmacher Institute, an independent abortion policy research organization.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Illinois has become a key destination for individuals seeking abortion services, particularly from states with restrictive laws. Adrienne White-Faines, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois, stated that nearly 50% of patients receiving abortion services at their facilities now arrive from out of state, with some clinics near the southern border seeing that figure rise to 90%.
Planned Parenthood Illinois serves approximately 112,000 to 115,000 patients annually, with around 30% of those visits related to abortion care. The organization as well provides a range of other services, including gender-affirming care, cancer screenings and STI testing and treatment.
The surge in out-of-state patients followed a wave of abortion bans enacted after the Supreme Court’s decision. Indiana implemented a near-total ban in 2023, and Iowa passed a law prohibiting abortions after six weeks of pregnancy last summer. Interstate abortion travel nearly doubled according to Guttmacher.
To manage the increased demand, Planned Parenthood Illinois closed four clinics in January 2025 and expanded services at 13 others, while also increasing telehealth options. Telehealth allows patients to consult with physicians remotely and receive abortion medication by mail, lessening the demand for travel in some cases. White-Faines noted that demand for both medication and procedural abortions fluctuates.
Despite the initial strain, White-Faines said the situation has “stabilized” in the three years since Roe was overturned, though the organization continues to address increasing needs for its other services. “Our challenge is not to see it as a strain, but to build sure that we are constantly working to maintain an infrastructure so that we can continue to service our patients and meet their needs throughout the state,” she said.
The state has responded with fresh initiatives to support access to reproductive care, including the recently launched Prairie State Access Fund. Managed by the Michael Reese Health Trust, the fund will raise money to address immediate needs for clinics and organizations providing abortion care in Illinois, particularly for patients not covered by programs like Illinois Medicaid.
Elizabeth Whitehorn, director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, said the fund will “complement” existing state efforts by filling gaps in coverage for out-of-state patients. The fund’s steering committee plans to seek donations from outside Illinois, recognizing the broader responsibility for supporting access to care.
Illinois has established itself as a strong supporter of reproductive health care through legislation like the 2019 Reproductive Health Act, which recognizes abortion as a fundamental right. Recent updates to the law provide protections for Illinois providers and patients traveling from states with restrictions. In 2025, the state invested $4 million in Medicaid family planning services to offset federal funding restrictions. The state also established the Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access (CARLA) in 2023, a hotline connecting individuals needing hospital-based care with resources.
Megan Jeyifo, executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund, highlighted the state’s collaborative approach. “We do have really integral and necessary investment from the state,” she said. The Chicago Abortion Fund has provided financial assistance to over 50,000 people since 2022, with 85% of recipients traveling from out of state. Last year, the fund invested nearly $2 million to help independent clinics expand capacity and nearly $10 million for travel and appointments.
Jeyifo added, “We truly believe that Illinois is the national model for this perform, for how abortion care and health care can be delivered.”