Last year, Illinois ranked 17th on Wallet Hub’s list of best states to live in based on 51 key indicators. Health and safety were among those factors, of which Illinois ranked 30th. But we’re a fun state. Illinois’ family fun rank was listed at 2nd. Still, there was a catch. A fun state to live in is also an easy state to die in. And our leaders are adding to the legal options that make death possible.
In recent years, abortion supporters have passed many laws to promote and protect abortion “rights” in the state. Abortion was codified into state law through the passage of the Reproductive Health Act in 2019, and legislators have expressed interest in enshrining abortion in the state constitution.
Governor J.B. Pritzker stated when he was sworn in for his second term in January 2023, that the right to privacy and bodily autonomy “demand that we establish constitutional protection for reproductive rights in Illinois.” A constitutional amendment would be much harder to reverse than a state law. While currently not on the ballot, it could be brought up at any time, as we discovered with another recent bill advocating death.
The Illinois Department of Public Health hasn’t released the number of abortions performed in the state in 2024, however, in 2023, it reported 72,143 total abortions. An analysis by the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research and policy organization formerly affiliated with Planned Parenthood, reported that there were 89,770 abortions. It estimated about 35,000 or 39% were for women from out-of-state. It’s all done under the guise of providing healthcare.
Meanwhile, studies show very few women have abortions due to medical reasons. Most women cite socioeconomic and financial reasons followed by timing and life circumstances as the main factors behind their decisions. Next come relationship and support factors followed by limiting or spacing childbearing. Only after that do health-related concerns get mentioned. Many of their reasons may be distressing, but they fall under the category of inconvenience.
Nearing year’s end, the governor signed an assisted suicide bill, the first of its kind in the Midwest. While supporters of the law claim its necessity on grounds of compassion, religious leaders and disability advocates caution against its misuse and overapplication.
In Canada, where MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) laws have been in place since 2016, stories continue to be heard of improper application of the laws including its suggested use by those who have long waits for treatment for curable illnesses. Again distressing, but something that can be overcome despite its inconvenience.
Here in Illinois, we have managed to simultaneously hold competing interests: our state government promotes a culture of death, but at least we’re fun.