Gov. Pritzker Launches Illinois Reproductive Health Care Hub

Gov. Pritzker Launches Illinois Reproductive Health Care Hub

CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker today announced the launch of the Illinois Reproductive Health Care Hub, the State's new website centralizing resources for those making decisions about their reproductive health. This new online hub provides a one-stop-shop of information to help access and pay for care, while also informing patients in Illinois about their rights.

The resource hub can be found at: reproductivehealth.illinois.gov.

"When seeking reproductive care, patients deserve accessibility and clarity, and the Illinois Reproductive Health Care Hub puts comprehensive resources all in one place," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Illinois has always protected women's right to choose, and the State's new hub will help inform and support Illinoisans as they make important and personal decisions for their health."

"In the years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, we've seen access to abortion care and women's health resources diminish across the country. But here in Illinois, we know access to reproductive care is a right," said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. "At this point, 1 in 4 patients seeking out-of-state abortion care come to Illinois. We're doing the work to get people the help they need - no matter where they are from. This online hub is one more way we're making health care accessible for all."

Making Reproductive Health Care Accessible

The Reproductive Health Care Hub helps site visitors do the following:

• Evaluate health care options
• Connect with providers
• Find low-cost or free pathways to care
• Learn more about birth control options, abortion resources, and pregnancy and postpartum services

The hub will also help patients, providers, and other stakeholders understand the many protections Illinois law provides, including rights in the state under the Illinois Reproductive Health Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, and rights that apply to emergency care, among others. People who believe their rights have been violated will be directed to appropriate resources.

Additionally, visitors will be able to see an overview of many of the steps Illinois has taken to protect reproductive rights and expand access to healthcare.

Illinois is committed to keeping personal decisions about health care private. Crucially, the website contains additional privacy settings for those accessing these resources, with a quick exit control to allow safe access to resources. Earlier this year, Governor Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act to protect sensitive medical information and prevent bad actors from weaponizing this information against those seeking care.

"This new website will provide a reliable resource for anyone seeking reproductive healthcare services, including clear information on care payment resources," said Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Elizabeth M. Whitehorn. "This tool empowers individuals with thorough information to make healthcare decisions that are best for their futures."

"Reliable, accurate information about health care services is critical to ensuring the health and well-being of Illinois residents," said Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. "This new reproductive health care hub empowers Illinois residents to make informed decisions about their health and the health of their loved ones by bringing key information about accessing and paying for care together in one centralized location."

Leading the Nation on Reproductive Rights

Under Governor Pritzker's leadership, Illinois remains one of the few states in the Midwest that offers widespread access to reproductive healthcare, with the Guttmacher Institute declaring Illinois very protective in terms of its strong abortion policies and accessibility.

Accessible reproductive healthcare can be a matter of life and death. If care is delayed, disrupted, or out of reach, women can experience poorer outcomes, higher rates of preventable complications, and widening inequities - particularly for Black women, low-income families, and rural communities. The new online hub will counteract misinformation about reproductive health care, connect patients with quality providers and affordable treatment options, and further protect every person pursuing reproductive care in Illinois.

This latest effort to strengthen abortion care in the state further cements Illinois as a national leader in reproductive justice and reaffirms Governor Pritzker's commitment to ensuring that everyone seeking reproductive healthcare in Illinois is able to make the best decisions for themselves, free of unnecessary barriers.

Since taking office, the Administration has worked with the Illinois General Assembly to implement landmark reproductive health initiatives, including:

• Passing the Reproductive Health Act, ensuring autonomy in utilizing contraception, abortion, and maternity care
• Passing the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act, preventing sensitive medical information from being shared out of state for those seeking safe and legal reproductive healthcare in Illinois
• Repealing parental notification laws
• Guaranteeing legal protections for providers who care for out-of-state patients
• Increasing insurance coverage for reproductive healthcare needs
• Launching the Prairie State Access Fund to ensure continued access for both residents of Illinois and those from across the country seeking abortion care
• Providing appropriate and expeditious treatment to patients who present for abortions at clinics who need a higher level of care than can be provided at the clinics
• Establishing a Reproductive Health Public Navigation hotline to assist patients with locating healthcare, transportation, housing, and financial support
• Releasing the Illinois Birth Equity Blueprint to improve maternal healthcare and equitable birth outcomes
• Strengthening reproductive healthcare access, making contraception and medication abortions more accessible in student health centers and protecting medical providers
• Expanding access to reproductive contraception in pharmacies