* Some background is here if you need it. Press release from the Chicago Abortion Fund and the Iowa Abortion Access Fund…

Yesterday, the Iowa District Court for Polk County issued an order for dissolving the temporary injunction on Iowa’s 6-week abortion ban. The ban is scheduled to take effect on Monday, July 29, 2024, marking a devastating setback for abortion access in the Midwest and forcing Iowans to travel out of state for necessary healthcare.

Qudsiyyah Shariyf, Deputy Director of the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF), issued the following statement:

“This ban is a severe setback for the Midwest. We are heartbroken for our neighbors in Iowa. These decisions, like all abortion bans and restrictions, disproportionately harm systemically oppressed communities, including people of color, people with low incomes, and those living in rural areas. The Chicago Abortion Fund, in partnership with the Iowa Abortion Access Fund, is dedicated to ensuring that anyone forced to leave the state of Iowa for abortion care receives the comprehensive support and resources they need.”

“In 2023, CAF received support requests from over 12,000 people from over 40 states, including over 360 people requiring hospital-based complex care through our CARLA program. This ruling in Iowa will continue to increase the number of people forced to travel for abortion care – both due to the devastating impacts of the ban as a whole, and due to the lack of guidance on exceptions and when doctors can act to provide emergency abortion care. We remain steadfast in our commitment to guarantee that all people have access to the abortion care they want, need, and deserve – regardless of who they are, their situation, or their zip code,” Shariyf added.

Leah Vanden Bosch, Development and Outreach Director of the Iowa Abortion Access Fund, issued the following statement:

“The upholding of this abortion ban in Iowa is an absolute devastation and violation of human rights, depriving Iowans of their bodily autonomy. Abortion is essential health care that needs to be accessible to all. This ban will harm marginalized communities and puts the lives of all pregnant people at risk. We know a ban will not stop the need for abortions. As one of the oldest abortion funds in the nation, we remain committed to providing abortion care for all Iowans. We are partnering with CAF to ensure that we will continue to do that work. We will not stop. Please continue to stay engaged and support people who need abortion care. By working together, we will continue to take care of one another.”

Overview of Abortion Access in Iowa:

- An estimated 4,150 abortions took place in Iowa in 2023 (Guttmacher Institute).
- In 2023, 390 Iowans traveled to Minnesota, 370 traveled to Illinois, and 180 traveled to Nebraska to seek abortion care (Guttmacher Institute).
- Prior to the 6-week ban, Iowans drove an average of 53 minutes to their nearest clinic. Travel times are expected to increase significantly, similar to trends observed by the Center for American Progress, in Indiana after their complete abortion ban.

CAF’s Partnership with Iowa Abortion Access Fund:

- The CAF Helpline is ready to support Iowans. Following the ruling in June, we deepened our partnership with the Iowa Abortion Access Fund to stretch resources to support more people needing to leave the state. Visit the CAF Helpline to complete an intake and receive support.
- Since the Dobbs decision, CAF has heard from 465 Iowans, a number expected to rise due to the 6-week ban.
- In just the first three weeks of July 2024, as many anticipated the impending enforcement of the ban, we received over 60 support requests from Iowans. This marked a 165% increase in support requests from previous months, despite abortion still being legal in Iowa. We anticipate these numbers will continue to grow following the implementation of the 6-week ban.
- CAF has fielded over 20,000 support requests and distributed almost $7 million in direct assistance since the Dobbs decision.

No Increase in Wait Times for Abortion at Illinois Clinics:

- In 2023, there were 37,300 people who traveled to Illinois for abortion care (The New York Times).
- Independent abortion clinics like Hope Clinic, Family Planning Associates (FPA), Women’s Aid Center, Choices, and Equity Clinic have not experienced increased wait times due to proactive hiring and operational adjustments, unlike East Coast clinics facing over two-week wait times (The Washington Post).

Infrastructure and Support Systems:

- Illinois clinics are equipped to manage increased patient volume and can triage care to Chicago hospitals for those requiring hospital-based abortion care.
- CAF’s Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access (CARLA) program, in partnership with four Chicago hospitals, supports patients needing hospital-based care.

* WGEM last month…

Though only law in Iowa, it will impact Illinois as more patients will turn to the state for abortion care. Illinois has some of the most permissive abortion laws in the U.S.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) Abortion Expansion Program Manager Julie Uhal said the organization is ready for a potential influx of patients. She said the ground has constantly been shifting since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, and PPIL is prepared for this latest development.

“We have done enough capacity expansion work and we are ready to see patients from where ever they are coming from. We’re ready to support them with travel support funding, financial assistance,” Uhal said. “Yeah, we’re here and we’re not backing down anytime soon.”

* KWWL yesterday…

This new law will ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which is before most women even know they are pregnant. Once a heartbeat is detected, an abortion will no longer be permitted in the state.

However, the Rockford Family Planning Center, which offers only abortion pills, said they are already seeing an uptick in women from Iowa crossing state lines for services. The center noted that even making the choice to take the abortion pill can be a tough decision.

Meg Larkin, an administrator with Rockford Family Planning Center, said, “If you knew that I could fill up my ultrasound room with all the tears that we have shed in there…See, nobody wakes up and goes ‘Oh i think I’m gonna have an abortion today.’ It’s a difficult, challenging decision for most people.”

Larkin also said that they expect more people to come in once the Iowa law is officially in effect. The abortion pill can only be taken up to 10 weeks and 5 days into a pregnancy.

* Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton…

[Governor Pritzker] and I are unapologetically clear that in Illinois, we trust women all across America and are never going back.

To our neighbors in Iowa, just know that abortion is safe and legal here in our state and we are here for you.

* House Speaker Chris Welch…

Hey Iowa! In Ilinois, we trust women to make decisions in consultation with their doctors. You’re welcome here.

* Illinois’ state party chair and state Rep. Lisa Hernandez…

The cruel attacks on reproductive freedom across the country are an affront to our core values.

To anyone fearing whether they will be able to receive the care they need: Illinois will always protect your rights.