Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health released statistics for 2014 showing abortions in Illinois reached their lowest level since the legalization of abortion in 1973. The number of abortions declined in every single age category.
“This is now the 6th year in a row that the Illinois abortion numbers have declined. With over 50 pregnancy resource centers in Illinois available to women in unplanned pregnancies and increased educational efforts by groups like Illinois Right to Life, we have effectively moved closer to our goal of turning Illinois pro-life”, said Emily Zender executive director of Illinois Right to Life. “Step by step we are making Illinois a more welcoming and loving home for women and their unborn children.”
In 2014 there were 38,472 abortions down from 40,750 in 2013, a 5.6% decline – 2,278 less abortions. The most drastic decline came from abortions on minor girls decreasing nearly 28.8% for those under 18 – more than 500 less abortions. This is due in large part to Illinois’ new parental notification law that was enforced for the first time in the entire year in 2014.
“The parental notification law has clearly positively increased parental involvement in children’s lives reducing the amount of abortions. This is a big win for Illinois parents and families,” said Emily Zender executive director of Illinois Right to Life. “More legislation to care for those in unplanned pregnancies needs to be passed.”
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The number of women traveling from out of state to Illinois to obtain an abortion dropped approximately 6.9% as well.
Abortions declined in the two counties that historically have the highest rate of abortions: Cook County and Dupage County. In these counties, abortions declined 10% and 6.1% respectively.
Abortion clinics are required to report the number of complications from abortion procedures. Cook County reported that there were no complications with 21,146 of the abortions leaving 365 abortions as having possible complications. In Dupage County, abortionist list that there were no complications in 1166 of the abortions that took place leaving 511 abortions with possible complications.
2014/2013 more comparisons are below:
Abortions decline by age groups:
0-14 years old: 26.8% decline in abortions (40 less abortions)
15-17 years old: 29% decline in abortions (467 less abortions)
18-19 years old: 18.4% decline in abortions (567 less abortions)
20-24 years old: 9% decline in abortions (1,059 less abortions)
25-29 years old: 9.8% decline in abortions (942 less abortions)
30-34 years old 9.2% decline in abortions (570 less abortions)
35-39 years old: 5.6% decline in abortions (191 less abortions)
40 -44 years old 5.8% decline in abortions (71 less abortions)
45+ years old: 7.4% decline in abortions (7 less abortions)
Here is the
full report from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
