Schakowsky, Illinois Attorney General Raoul, State Rep. Cassidy, and Civil Rights & Pro-Choice Advocates Highlight Personal Stories and Resources Following the Overturning of Roe v. Wade

EVANSTON – Yesterday, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and State Rep. Kelly Cassidy joined the ACLU of Illinois, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and the Chicago Abortion Fund for a roundtable event at the Center on Halsted to reiterate that abortions are still safe and legal in Illinois.

The event highlighted personal stories of those impacted by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the 50-year precedent established by Roe v. Wade, including one Illinois woman, Molly Tobin, who was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. This past week, her doctor's informed her that carrying a child to full-term may kill her. If Molly were to get pregnant, she would need an abortion to save her life. Thankfully, Molly lives in Illinois, where abortions are still legal. Across the country, there are countless Americans in Molly's position who have had their fundamental human rights stripped away from them.

"While states like Illinois have laws protecting abortion rights, millions of Americans in states around the country have already seen those rights taken away," said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. "The battle for abortion rights is far from over. There is a tsunami of opposition, and it is growing by the minute. The answer is as close as the next election in November. I urge everyone who cares about women's health and the fundamental freedom and right to privacy to vote."

"Illinois will continue to be a proud reproductive health care oasis where personal medical decisions are made by women, in consultation with their medical providers – not the government," said Attorney General Kwame Raoul. "In the weeks and months ahead, the Illinois Attorney General's office will continue its work to protect the rights of women here in Illinois and across the Midwest who are forced to travel to Illinois to access reproductive health care."

"The overturning of Roe v. Wade is not about life, because if it was, my own and millions of others would not be at risk," said Molly Tobin, an Illinois woman with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

In addition, the panel emphasized the resources that are available to Americans, including reproductiverights.gov, which includes information about your rights to birth control, abortion, and other reproductive health care services.

Highlights from the event can be found below.

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