Illinois abortion laws are considered lenient when compared to other states around the country,
The Washington Post noted.
In 2011, the Illinois abortion rate was 15.8 compared to a national abortion rate of 13.9,
according to Abort73.com, a subdivision of Loxafamosity Ministries, Inc.
Illinois ranked No. 32 in the nation for abortion restrictions, the Post said, citing data compiled by the Guttmacher Institute. By turn, nearby Indiana ranked No. 3 while Michigan ranked No. 20.
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Abortion in Illinois is prohibited when a fetus is considered medically viable,
according to the University of Chicago, which describes that threshold at about 23 to 24 weeks gestation.
Illinois has instituted a partial birth abortion ban, but as with several other states with similar laws on the books, that measure is not legally enforceable, the University of Chicago noted.
Abortions in Illinois must be given by licensed physicians. Others who are considered advance practice clinicians are allowed to write prescriptions for medication abortions. State law allows health providers to opt out of abortions under the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act. It notes that "health professionals and organizations cannot be discriminated against, coerced or punished civilly or criminally if they choose not to offer a health or medical service because of their conscientious convictions," the University of Chicago said.
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