City Council committee endorses ordinance to protect abortion rights

Illinois in general and Chicago in particular are an oasis of freedom surrounded by states that have enacted what activists call "extreme anti-abortion" and anti-gender affirming laws in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

On Thursday, Chicago alderpersons took a giant step toward making certain out-of-staters arriving in the city seeking care unavailable in their home states are not further victimized by becoming targets of investigation.

The Committee on Health and Human Relations approved an ordinance championed by Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (33rd).

It would prohibit the Chicago Police Department or any other agency of local government from cooperating in investigations that seek to criminalize people who come to Chicago seeking abortions and other reproductive care. It would also shield medical providers who treat those patients and those who help, such as by providing information, transportation and housing.

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City Council committee endorses ordinance to protect abortion rights

The proposed ordinance would prohibit Chicago police or other local government agencies from assisting investigations that seek to criminalize women who come to Chicago seeking abortions and other reproductive care.

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Two Chicago organizations that help individuals who are seeking an abortion will split $500,000 from the Chicago Department of Public Health to help those traveling to Illinois for the medical procedure.

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