Dupage Policy Journal

Regional pro-life group Northwest Families for Life is sounding the alarm over a bill that would open up abortion access by allowing unlicensed out-of-state doctors and other medical professionals to provide abortions. The bill also allows for gender reassignment treatment for children without parental consent. 

Northwest Families for Life hold vigils three times weekly in Downers Grove. 

“Illinois Friends, what do you know about HB 4664?” Northwest Families for Life said on Facebook. "Since being passed by the House, the Senate Amendment #1 was introduced late January 4th. The 241-page bill makes numerous changes to abortion law including: Allows the Attorney General to investigate and request the court to impose fines up to $50K to sidewalk counselors; Allows the Attorney General to request the court to impose fines to an unlicensed crisis pregnancy center for providing pregnancy-related services; Mandates a two-hour continuing education course about abortion for all health care workers involved in maternity care and other 'reproductive health care.'"   

According to the organization, the bill also "Allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants to perform surgical abortions; Allows non-physicians like midwives and physician's assistants to perform surgical abortions;  Creates a "temporary permit" for out of state abortionists to perform abortions in Illinois and allows doctors who have lost their medical licenses in other states to perform abortions in Illinois. In fact, the bill allows most medical personnel (doctors, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, etc.) who have lost their licenses in another state due to unlawful abortion-related activities to obtain licenses in Illinois."   

The bill would also give way to abortion training programs at the Department of Public Health. The department would also be required to "provide a web site which would list all the abortion providers in Illinois PLUS 'support services, such as airfare, lodging, ground transportation, public transportation, meals, childcare, doula support, and translation support to help a person access and obtain an abortion. Payment support resources, including coverage options, State programs, and other [financial] assistance…'" 

"This proposed bill is terribly dangerous to women and the people of Illinois," Northwest Families for Life said. "Please call your state senator and ask him or her to vote NO.  Also, know a group of people from all over the state are gathering Monday morning at 9am to pray for peace, justice and the unborn.  Join us in the Capitol Rotunda." 

Insurance companies will also be obligated to cover the cost of abortion pills if the bill will be enacted into law. It will also allow "a pharmacist to dispense hormonal contraception from a standing order from a local health department or the Department of Public Health, after the patient complete a self-screening risk assessment and without having a relationship with the patient and no medical exam on the patient," Northwest Families for Life also noted. "The bill eliminates all Department of Public Health liability for “injury caused by the pharmacist’s or patient’s use of the self-screening assessment or the dispensation of hormonal contraceptives pursuant to the standing order.'" 

State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) is among the many speaking out against the bill. “Under this bill, minors could receive a surgical abortion from a non-doctor, paid for by the taxpayer, in a clinic that is not held to the same standards as other medical facilities, and their parents never have to know,” Caulkins said on Facebook. He added the bill strips parents of their right to lead their children’s healthcare decisions. “The bill sets standards for gender-affirming care that will mean doctors can provide hormonal therapy or surgical gender reassignment surgery without requiring parental involvement and with no age limit,” he added. “This bill will require Illinois insurance plans to cover gender-affirming medication to be covered without copay or deductible to any person without age restrictions and no requirement for parental notification.”

The bill came out of the Dobbs Decision Working Group made up of Illinois lawmakers, according to Mike Miletich, capital bureau chief for WEEK-TV.

Abortion clinics in Illinois have expanded their capacity in preparation for an increase in demand for abortions. Along the state's border with states controlled by Republicans, Planned Parenthood has opened a number of additional abortion clinics. Abortion advocates anticipate a five-fold increase in the number of abortions, Prairie State Wire reported.