Supporters of Planned Parenthood of Illinois Speak Out at Press Conference About Sham Texas Lawsuit

Legislators and Patients Share Personal Planned Parenthood Stories Showing Impact 

CHICAGO -  Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) held a press conference today to speak out against a sham Texas lawsuit aimed at closing all Planned Parenthood doors. Speakers included Illinois State Senator Lakesia Collins, Illinois State Representative Angie Guerrero-Cuellar, Illinois State Representative Nabeela Syed, PPIL Director of Organizing and Advocacy, Patience Roundtree, and Planned Parenthood patient Isis. Speakers shared their personal accounts on the impact of Planned Parenthood.

The state of Texas and an anonymous plaintiff are suing the three nonprofit Planned Parenthood Texas affiliates and Planned Parenthood Federation of America for more than $1.8 billion. Although this is happening in Texas, this case potentially has national implications and could affect the ability to access care throughout the country – including Illinois.

“While this case is centralized in Texas, and does not immediately impact Planned Parenthood of Illinois, the results of this case could have a devastating impact on Planned Parenthoods in the future by forcing doors to close and patients to go without care,” said Roundtree. “In the past year, Planned Parenthood of Illinois saw over 73,000 patients for a variety of reproductive and sexual health care needs.”

The outcome of this case will directly affect people with low incomes, women, and other communities who face barriers to health care — in Texas and across the country. Affordable birth control, cancer screenings, and other basic health care are at risk for people struggling to make ends meet. 

“I really appreciate Planned Parenthood and all the information and abortion care they provided me. They’re the reason I was still able to get the care I needed,” said Isis. “I wanted to share this story to urge everyone, especially those of you like me whose day-to-day life is impacted by policies. Please stand with me, share your stories, and support Planned Parenthood.”

Lawmakers present also expressed their concern over the case that can affect Planned Parenthood across the nation and here at home.  

“Regardless of this attempt to shut down Planned Parenthood in Texas and elsewhere, Illinois will remain a welcoming state for people seeking all ranges of health care, and Planned Parenthood is a crucial provider of that,” said Senator Collins. “Health care is a human right and we should ensure that everyone, no matter who you are or where you are, has access to affordable, accessible and safe care.”

"Planned Parenthood provides critical access to affordable healthcare, especially for young adults. I benefited greatly from the education and access I received and will always support Planned Parenthood and its mission,”  said Representative Guerrero-Cuellar.  

“We need Planned Parenthood to continue to provide cancer screenings, contraception, and so much more,” said Representative Syed. “It pains me to think of the impact this case could have. But it gives me hope to be in Illinois because here we believe in the right to choose. And we cannot keep allowing politicians to signal to our next generation that their bodily autonomy isn't a right worth defending and that their access to affordable healthcare will be deliberately, repeatedly attacked for the sake of scoring political points.”

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