OPTION: Abortion You choose to end your pregnancy

Legal Rights

• No one can force you to have an abortion.


• In Illinois, a pregnant woman can decide to end a pregnancy until she is approximately 24 weeks pregnant. After approximately 24 weeks, a woman can have an abortion only when there is a medical need.


• If you are pregnant, under 18, and seeking an abortion in Illinois, you can consent to the abortion on your own BUT an adult family member (someone over 21 who is your parent, grandparent, step-parent who lives with you, or a legal guardian) must be notified before the abortion is performed unless you fall into one of the exceptions or you go to court and get a waiver of parental notice.

The further the pregnancy goes, the harder it is to find abortion services and the more expensive the procedure is.

Support

Having an abortion is a time sensitive decision. The number of places you can go for an abortion and the cost of the procedure depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy. This website will help you to figure out what to do after you make the decision to have an abortion.

• Medical: You can contact any of the organizations listed in the "Costs” section below, along with www.plannedparenthood.org, for a list of clinics that provide abortions.


• Questions About Parental Notice and Judicial Bypass: ACLU of Illinois Bypass Coordination Project (877.44BYPASS).


• After Abortion Support: Exhale (1.866.4 EXHALE) – non-judgmental post abortion talk-line.

Costs

Depending on where you go, you may have to pay the clinic for a pregnancy test, sonogram and options counseling. You will also have to pay for the abortion itself - how much you pay depends on which clinic you use, how far along you are in your pregnancy and what type of abortion procedure you have. You can talk with your doctor or all-options counselor about the different abortion options available to you.

The following organizations can refer you to clinics where you can have an abortion. They may also be able to help you with your abortion costs.

• National Network of Abortion Funds (617.524.6040)


• National Abortion Federation (800.772.9100)


• Chicago Abortion Fund (312.663.0338)

The judicial bypass process is free - you do not have to pay to file the application, to have a hearing or for the lawyer.

Medicaid and Insurance

In Illinois, Medicaid does not cover abortions; except in cases of rape or if the abortion is medically necessary or the pregnancy threatens the life of the pregnant woman. Be aware that if you use your family member’s insurance plan to pay for your abortion, they may find out about the procedure.

Your provider may be able to let you know about which insurance plans keep your abortion confidential and which plans may inform your parents.