Reproductive rights are at stake in this election, and Illinois must keep up the fight

In 2016, Donald Trump declared: “There must be some kind of punishment” for a woman receiving abortion care. Six years later, the Supreme Court, dominated by right-wing Trump appointees, has given state politicians the power to decide what kind of health care you can access depending on where you live. Since then, 21 states have banned or severely restricted abortion.

Roe v. Wade in 2022 in Dobbs v. When the Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned its decision, I immediately flew to Washington, D.C., to strategize with Vice President Kamala Harris and a group of Democratic state attorneys general. We discussed the tools we can use to counter Republicans’ relentless attacks on reproductive freedom. Harris, herself a former state attorney general, was prescient in bringing us together to plan the post-Dobbs fight against these harmful state policies. I am proud to have advocated and advocated for multiple protections for Illinois patients and providers ever since.

Because Illinois is perceived as a “blue” state, many residents feel that we have nothing to worry about when it comes to protecting reproductive justice. The truth is that Illinois must constantly defend the policies we have put in place to protect reproductive freedom. And if Trump is re-elected, Illinois will surely bear the burden of waging more legal battles against those who challenge reproductive freedom.

Our state’s medical providers have stepped up to serve the significant influx of patients traveling to Illinois for necessary care. At the same time, our state Legislature, with my office’s legislative guidance and advocacy, has taken action to pass comprehensive legislation that expands and protects access to and coverage of reproductive health care. While Trump and the anti-abortion Supreme Court justices he proudly appointed rolled back reproductive rights, Illinois stood firm.

That’s why my job as Illinois attorney general is so important. While my office has vigorously advocated for insurance coverage of abortion services and access to medication abortion, I have helped put in place measures to meet the growing demand for care, protect reproductive health patients and providers, and ensure care when a patient’s health or life is in danger. .

We put women at risk of death

We don’t yet know the outcome of the presidential election, but we know exactly what Trump and his administration will do about reproductive services if elected. It would cut off access to mifepristone, the most commonly used abortion method, which is vital for patients who live far from other forms of care.

He will use his authority to investigate and punish patients and doctors who seek and provide abortion care. And dangerously, MAGA extremists won’t stop at abortion.

The Trump administration will pursue access to contraceptives, gender-affirming care, STD testing and treatment, and assisted reproductive technology. Because of Trump’s actions, women—even those who wanted to carry their pregnancies to term—were forced to travel long distances for lifesaving treatment, suffered further harm, and even faced death. Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, claim to be pro-family, but are okay with letting mothers die without receiving critical emergency care.

As long as I serve as Illinois attorney general, I pledge to continue my fight for comprehensive access to health care, including abortion, miscarriage management, fertility treatments, urgent care, medication abortion, and gender-affirming care. Even as Republican extremists challenge our laws on many fronts, I will ensure that Illinois continues to thrive as an oasis for individuals seeking necessary care.

My mission is to defend our state’s laws in court against anti-abortion opponents, and I am committed to strengthening civil liberties regardless of who wins the presidency in November.

Wherever we live, our freedoms are at risk. This is a close election. And the fight is not over.

Kwame Raoul is the attorney general of Illinois

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