Illinois Expands Campus Abortion Access, Shields Providers From Out-of-State Prosecution

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed legislation requiring public colleges and universities to provide students with access to contraception and abortion medications through campus health centers and pharmacies, making Illinois the fourth state to enact such a law. House Bill 3709, inspired by student activism at the University of Illinois, also improves access to telehealth services and licensed health providers, taking effect this academic year. Additionally, House Bill 3637 extends legal protections for healthcare providers in Illinois, shielding them from prosecution or disciplinary action in other states if they provide abortion care legal in Illinois, even if the FDA revokes approval of certain medications like mifepristone. Pritzker framed these laws as part of a broader effort to make Illinois a “safe haven” for women seeking abortion care amid restrictive policies in neighboring states and federal challenges. In contrast, Wisconsin, despite a state Supreme Court ruling invalidating a long-standing abortion ban, continues to impose numerous restrictions on abortion access, including limits on telehealth abortion services, in-person visit requirements, and Medicaid coverage restrictions, which healthcare providers say hinder both patients and providers. These divergent approaches highlight the ongoing legal and political battles over reproductive healthcare access in the Midwest.