Can You Still Get an Abortion in Illinois? 

There are a lot of questions about abortion access in Illinois after the recent Supreme Court ruling. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and are wondering if this affects your options, you’re not alone. 

Read this article for the significance of the recent ruling and how this affects Illinois.  

What Does it Mean that Roe was Overturned? 

When the current Supreme Court revisited the Roe v. Wade ruling in the recent Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, they determined that the original argument lacked legal merit.  

This means that abortion is no longer recognized as a federally protected right and it is now up to each state to rule for themselves. 

What are the Current Abortion Laws in Illinois?  

The Illinois’ “Reproductive Health Act” states: “Every individual who becomes pregnant has a fundamental right to continue the pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion, and to make autonomous decisions about how to exercise that right.” As of June 1, 2022, the Parental Notification Act ended. This means a minor seeking an abortion is no longer required to notify a parent or qualified adult  before an abortion can take place.

Next Steps 

If you are pregnant and considering abortion, an ultrasound is a critical step in evaluating your options.  At Waterleaf, we offer ultrasounds at no cost to you to determine: 

• The location of your pregnancy. If your pregnancy has implanted anywhere outside the uterus you could have an ectopic pregnancy. In this instance, you would be advised to seek immediate medical attention. 
• The gestational age of your pregnancy is determined by measuring the dimensions of the pregnancy. Some abortion procedures are only available at certain stages of pregnancy. The ultrasound provides you with an accurate measurement so you can make the best decision for you. 
• The viability of your pregnancy. If a heartbeat cannot be detected, you may be very early or you may naturally miscarry, in which case you would be advised to follow up with your physician. 

It is also important to be tested for STDs, educated about knowing your blood type, and more. 

We are here to support you on this journey, so contact us today to schedule a no-cost ultrasound! You can fill out the form on this page or call/text us confidentially at 630-360-2256.