Planned Parenthood: 20,000-30,000 women will travel to Illinois for abortions each year

Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Photo credit TWITTER/City of Chicago

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Planned Parenthood officials in Chicago estimate that between 20,000 and 30,000 women will travel from out of state to get abortion services in Illinois, following Friday’s reversal of Roe v Wade.

Planned Parenthood on Friday held a news conference with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other elected leaders who support abortion rights. They condemned the high court’s decision to nullify Roe, which sends the issue of abortion back to state legislatures.

Many states have already moved to ban abortions, though the procedure is legal in Illinois.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois has already seen an increase in out-of-state patients, President and CEO Jennifer Welch said. She estimated up to 30,000 women from other states will travel to Illinois for abortions annually.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois has 17 health centers across the state.

Welch cast doubt on claims that other states where abortion is illegal can take legal action against Illinois.

“Cannabis is legal in Illinois and not in other states,” she said. “And there’s no opportunity for other states to have criminal jurisdiction over us in Illinois. So, we are not concerned about that. We’re looking at it.”