The Illinois Department of Public Health just released statistics for 2016 showing abortions in Illinois reached their lowest level since the legalization of abortion in 1973.
“Abortions in our state declined to their lowest level yet” said Emily Troscinski, executive director for Illinois Right to Life. “With over 100 pregnancy resource centers in Illinois, maternity homes, grant programs like Project Love, we are building an effective system of support for women in unplanned pregnancies. With this, alongside increased educational efforts by groups like Illinois Right to Life, we are working toward our goal of making abortion unthinkable.”
In 2016 there were 38,382 abortions down from 39,856 in 2015, a 3.7% decline – 1,474 less abortions. The greatest decline came from abortions on high school age girls moving into college, decreasing by 408 abortions (11.9%) on girls ages 15 through 19. Abortions also declined in the two counties that historically have the highest rate of abortions: Cook County and Dupage County. In these counties, abortions declined 5% and 5.9 % respectively.
However, even though abortions decreased overall, abortions increased on minor girls aged 0-14 by 26.8%: 22 abortions. Abortions on women traveling from out of state also increased by a sky-rocketing 41.5%. That’s 1,333 more abortions.
“With lax abortion laws and pro-abortion politicians pushing extreme, anti-life legislation like HB 40 and SB1564 through our General Assembly, Illinois is becoming more out of touch with the science and the rest of the country,” said Emily Troscinski. “Becoming an ‘oasis’ of death is not an accomplishment for our state. It’s a ‘cop-out’ from providing these women with what they really need and deserve: love, assistance, and support.”
2016/2015 more comparisons are below:
Abortions decline by age groups:
0-14 years old: 26.8% increase in abortions (22 more abortions)
15-17 years old: 13.2% decline in abortions (151 less abortions)
18-19 years old: 11.3% decline in abortions (257 less abortions)
20-24 years old: 7.3% decline in abortions (787 less abortions)
25-29 years old: 4.4% decline in abortions (429 less abortions)
30-34 years old 2.8% decline in abortions (166 less abortions)
35-39 years old: 1.8% decline in abortions (62 less abortions)
40 -44 years old 0.5% decline in abortions (5 less abortions)
45+ years old: 11.5% increase in abortions (10 more abortions)
Here is the full report from the Illinois Department of Public Health.