CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Almost one year after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Planned Parenthood and Illinois officials highlighted new legislation that aims to protect the privacy and safety of people seeking abortion care.
The new bill was introduced by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.
He said it all comes down to ensuring that health care choices are “fundamentally protected.”
“That is why I initiated the first-in-the-nation legislation, House Bill 3326, that will restrict the use of automatic license plate readers from tracking individuals seeking reproductive health care and individuals who assist them,” he said.
Giannoulias said it also protects those who could be targeted because of their immigration status.
President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Jennifer Welch said out-of-state patients are concerned and scared.
“They are afraid that they're being monitored from coming and going from our parking lots, especially because so many of our health centers have protestors who are harassing and intimidating patients in and out of health care,” Welch said. “This is one more way to relieve their fears.”
Welch said nearly a quarter of Planned Parenthood Illinois patients are from out of state.
Illinois Rep. Ann Williams said the bill addresses what she called “a new battle” at state borders.
“This law prohibits the sharing of data or permitting any law enforcement agency to use data to weaponize information against anyone in the state of Illinois seeking reproductive health care,” Williams said.
The bill is currently awaiting the governor's consideration.
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