As Southern states continue to pass laws banning abortion, thousands of women are turning to clinics in Illinois for the procedure. Hundreds of women travel each week to the southern tip of Illinois, where they can still access safe and legal abortions.
This comes after 11 Southern states, covering a 1,800 mile stretch from Texas to South Carolina, have mostly banned pregnancy terminations since the Supreme Court stripped away constitutional protections for women to end pregnancies.
The result has been devastating for millions of women who now find themselves unable to access reproductive healthcare services. Many are forced to travel long distances or even cross state lines in order to obtain an abortion.
Illinois has become a destination for many seeking abortions due to their more liberal laws on reproductive rights. The state has recently passed legislation that further protects these rights and ensures that all individuals have access to comprehensive healthcare services.
Despite this positive step forward, many advocates remain concerned about the continued attacks on reproductive rights across the country. They argue that these bans not only limit options for pregnant people but also put their health at risk by forcing them into unsafe situations.
As more and more states restrict access to abortion services, it is clear that this issue will continue to be at the forefront of political debate in America. For now, however, those seeking abortions will continue traveling long distances just for basic healthcare needs.