Providers in Illinois are averaging a monthly increase of 1,140 abortions in the post-Dobbs environment. Illinois is currently the state experiencing the second highest increase in abortion care. This number will likely heighten, as Florida and North Carolina, increase abortion restrictions. Currently, Florida has a 15 week ban and while legal until 20 weeks in North Carolina, new laws are currently being litigated which could reduce access.

As the legal status of abortion in neighboring states continue to change, more people will travel to Illinois for care. For example, Indiana, where abortion is currently legal but has had short term bans, has seen 50% reduction in people seeking abortion in Indiana. Most likely people from Indiana seeking abortion care are travelling to neighboring states like Illinois to now receive care.

As demonstrated in the graph below, Illinois has been experiencing a steady increase in number of abortions after the Dobbs ruling in June 2022. In states like Ohio, which the policy around the legality and accessibly of abortion has been tumultuous, the number of abortions provided was just reaching pre-Dobbs  numbers in December 2022. Similarly, Indiana has seen a steady decrease of number of abortions provided in state, which may be contributed to both the required waiting period and the changing state policies around abortion legality.

The landscape remains heavily regulated for those under the age of 18 seeking abortion care in the Midwest. While Illinois repealed required parental notification in 2021, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa all require either parental consent or notification for minors seeking abortion care within their state. This leaves young people in a particularly vulnerable position in the Midwest, as they can only travel to Minnesota or Illinois – or go through the judicial bypass process – to access abortion care without parental notification.