Metro East Sun

Bishop Michael McGovern of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville has addressed the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization judgment, which nullified Roe v. Wade's proclamation of a constitutional right to abortion. 

A number of states immediately outlawed abortion as a result of the ruling. Illinois expanded access to abortion before the verdict and also offers financial aid to out-of-state women who wish to undergo abortions. 

“The decision by the Supreme Court today gives fresh hope to Americans who wish to work to create a compassionate culture where every human being is welcomed in life, cherished in the community, and protected by law,” McGovern said. “Because abortion law in Illinois continues to be among the most extreme in the nation, all Illinoisans must strive to assist women who are pregnant to welcome their children, even in the most difficult circumstances. By providing material, emotional and spiritual support, the Catholic Community in southern Illinois is committed to providing pregnant mothers with real choices, building bridges that will help women in crisis pregnancies reach a secure future for themselves and their children."

A month prior to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, NBC Chicago reported that the City of Chicago gave $500,000 to support women of color, and poor women seeking abortion. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot approved the funding for various organizations, including the Midwest Access Coalition and the Chicago Abortion Fund. “So we've got to be ready, and we've got to step up,” she said. 

Abortion facilities in the State of Illinois have increased their capacity in anticipation of a rise in the number of abortion requests. Planned Parenthood has opened a number of extra abortion clinics along the state's border with Republican-controlled states. Proponents of the procedure predict a five-fold increase in abortions, Prairie State Wire reported. 

Since 2014, there has been a consistent rise in the number of women seeking to travel to Illinois for abortions. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 7,534 abortions performed on non-residents in Illinois in 2019, a 150% increase over the preceding five years. The surge in the number of non-residents seeking abortions in the state is partially attributable to nonprofit groups that assist out-of-state abortion seekers, like the Chicago Abortion Fund, according to Block Club Chicago.