Abortion in Illinois is safe and legal.  

And it’s a basic health care need for millions of people who can become pregnant. In fact, about  1 in 4 people with a uterus will have at least one abortion in their lifetime. 

Right now, you can have an abortion for any reason in Illinois until fetal viability, which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it is able to survive outside the uterus without extreme medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy, but is determined by a physician on a case-by-case basis. After fetal viability, you can have an abortion if a healthcare professional determines it is necessary to protect your life or health.

There are several ways to end a pregnancy, including in-clinic procedures, and FDA-approved abortion pills which can be taken at home and have less than a 1% risk of complications. Factors like the gestational age of the fetus, your medical history, and your personal preferences will help determine which methods of abortion are best for your situation. 

In pregnancies up to 10 weeks, medication abortion treatments can be completed at home through telehealth providers like Hey Jane. After completing our secure intake process online, you’ll be connected with one of our licensed medical providers. If they determine you’re eligible for treatment, you’ll receive your medication within a few days in discreet packaging, plus anti-nausea medication and ibuprofen to help with any side effects. You’ll continue to have access to our expert and compassionate clinical care team for medical and emotional support along the way.

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What you need to know about Illinois abortion laws

In 2019, Illinois enacted a statutory protection for abortion as a fundamental right. This allows every individual to make autonomous decisions about their reproductive health, and gives pregnant people the right to choose to continue their pregnancy or to have an abortion. The Illinois Supreme Court has also recognized the right to abortion under the state’s constitution. 

In January 2023, Illinois enacted a law that protects providers, patients, and people who help others access abortion care from any out-of-state investigations or legal actions.

Illinois abortion laws are constantly evolving. Stay up to date on the latest.

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How late can you get an abortion in Illinois?

You can be prescribed abortion medication, a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, up to 10 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period.

If your pregnancy is further along than that, you can get an in-clinic procedural abortion prior to fetal viability (typically around 24 -26 weeks). 

Beyond that, you can get an abortion if a healthcare professional determines it is necessary to protect your life or health or if the fetus will not survive.

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Who can get an abortion in Illinois? 

Anyone with a uterus can get an abortion in Illinois until the pregnancy is viable (usually 24-26 weeks into a pregnancy), or afterwards to protect the life or health of the patient.

If you live in a state where you’re unable to get an abortion, you can travel to Illinois to get the care that you need. 

Anyone located in Illinois - including out-of-state residents, college students, minors, and undocumented immigrants can get an abortion in Illinois. If you are younger than 18, you do not have to notify or get permission from your parent or guardian before you have an abortion.

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The abortion pill explained

The abortion pill is actually two medications taken separately—mifepristone and misoprostol. The first medication, mifepristone, blocks the pregnancy hormone (progesterone), which stops a pregnancy from growing. 

Then, 24-48 hours later, the second medication, misoprostol, is taken. This medication causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus. 

For some, this treatment can feel like a heavy period, but for others, it can feel much more intense. Everyone's experience is different.  

While the majority of abortions performed in the US are medication abortions, about 73% of adults don’t know about this option, and baseless lawsuits only serve to further confuse people. If you can, use our Un-whisper Network to spread the word— to your friends, your family, your community.

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Medication abortions are safe and highly effective

Medication abortion is very safe. Complications from this treatment are very uncommon— they occur in less than 1% of patients. When used correctly, the medications work up to 99.6% of the time.

Getting a medication abortion does not lower your chances of getting or staying pregnant in the future; it does not cause infertility or cause birth defects in a future pregnancy. In fact, you can get pregnant almost immediately after having an abortion.

That’s not all:

• The abortion pill is safer than Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• The abortion pill is safer than Viagra (sildenafil)

Despite myths that say otherwise, having an abortion does not increase your risk for breast cancer and does not cause depression.

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How to get an abortion at home in Illinois

Telehealth abortion care is a safe and private way to get an abortion from the comfort of your home.

Hey Jane is the leading provider of at-home abortion care in the US. We offer medication abortion care for people who are at least 18 years old and are up to 10 weeks pregnant. 

At Hey Jane, we believe in providing private abortion care with holistic medical, emotional, and community support. We determine patient eligibility based on your gestational age and your medical history. To find out if you’re eligible, fill out our secure, online form. 

If you’re eligible, our clinical care team will guide you through the process to receive FDA-approved abortion pills. Our fast turnaround times ensure the medications are delivered quickly to your door. We offer ongoing support from our clinical care team, 24/7 support for urgent needs, a peer-to-peer community forum, and helpful resources. We also provide financial assistance and accept patients regardless of immigration status. 

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Want to see if you’re eligible?

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What to expect after taking abortion medication 

Medication #1: Mifepristone

Mifepristone blocks progesterone, the hormone that’s needed for a pregnancy to develop. Most people don’t experience any side effects and feel totally fine after taking this.

Medication #2: Misoprostol

You can choose to take the pills in your vagina or in your cheeks for Step 2. Our treatment guide goes over how to take them both ways — choose the one you prefer. The medicine works equally well either way but can cause more nausea when taken in your cheeks.

If you decide to dissolve them in your cheeks, you can take them any time between 24-48 hrs after Step 1, as best fits your schedule. If you decide that vaginal misoprostol is a good fit for you, you can take them vaginally right after taking Step 1, or up until 72 hrs after Step 1. Please know that the pills don’t always completely dissolve in the vagina, and sometimes small pill pieces can remain in the vagina or even fall out - this is ok, it doesn’t mean the medication didn’t work. 

Misoprostol is the medication that causes uterine cramping and bleeding and the cervix to open, which helps to pass the pregnancy, similar to an early miscarriage. Heavy bleeding and cramping are expected within about 4-6 hours of taking the medication. Taking ibuprofen (or, for people who are allergic, Tylenol Extra-Strength) and anti-nausea medication 30 minutes before using misoprostol can help. Depending on how many weeks pregnant you are, you may be advised to take an additional dose of misoprostol to ensure that treatment is successful. Hey Jane’s medical providers will let you know what would be best for you.

Having some of these items on hand can help you manage the symptoms during an abortion:

• 800 mg ibuprofen or Tylenol Extra-Strength (included for all Hey Jane patients)
• Hot water or heating pad
• Warm tea or soup
• Anti-nausea medication (included for all Hey Jane patients)
• If you have access to a support person, than can also be very helpful
  

If you have access to a support person, this can also be very helpful.

Ready to start? Consult with a Hey Jane provider now.

If you still have questions or need additional help, check out our resource center or FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions.

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How much does an abortion in Illinois cost?

The cost of a medication abortion can vary depending on where you get it and whether or not you use insurance. According to ANSIRH, the median cost of a medication abortion in Illinois in 2021 was $490.

However, the median cost of a medication abortion in Illinois can be lower with insurance or through a virtual provider like Hey Jane for those with qualifying low incomes.

According to ANSIRH, the median cost of procedural abortion services during the first trimester in Illinois in 2021 was $463. And the median cost of second-trimester procedural abortion services in Illinois in 2021 was $1,385. However, private insurance or the state’s Medicaid program should be able to lower or eliminate the cost under certain circumstances. 

Procedural abortions are generally more expensive than medication abortions, and in-clinic medication abortions are generally more expensive than telehealth medication abortions. But cost is not the only consideration, and patients should consider all relevant factors when choosing what's best for them.

At Hey Jane, we offer income-based sliding scale pricing, accept select insurance providers, and partner with abortion funds to help you access care.

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How to find an abortion clinic in Illinois

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or prefer to get an abortion in person, there are some factors to keep in mind when searching for the right abortion clinic.  

1. First, calculate how far along you are in your pregnancy. Some clinics only offer abortion procedures up until a certain gestational age, so you’ll want to call to confirm that you’re eligible before scheduling. You may also want to consider the cost of an abortion in Illinois, which is different for medication versus procedural. INeedAnA.com is a great resource for finding abortion clinics. 
2. Illinois provides public funding for all or most medically necessary abortions and requires private insurance plans to cover abortion care. If you need help or financial support, here are some great resources.
3. Beware of fake clinics! When searching for clinics online, use caution. You’ll want to avoid scheduling with a fake clinic, sometimes called a “pregnancy center,” a type of organization that often appears clinical online and in-person, but are not medical clinics and aim to prevent pregnant people from accessing abortion care. Horrible, we know. INeedAnA.com has a helpful search tool for locating real abortion clinics.

How to get financial assistance 

Cost should never prevent someone from getting an abortion that they need, which is why we offer different payment options. We use income-based sliding scale pricing, accept HSA/FSA cards, and partner with select insurance plans (with more plans coming soon).

We also partner with abortion funds that can provide support for eligible patients. Abortion funds can cover the full or partial cost of treatment. Learn more about abortion funds and how they might be able to help you get the care you need.

Last updated November 29, 2023