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Planned Parenthood of Illinois’ doors will stay open – no matter what. We will continue to support our patients and ensure they get the care they need when they need it, so they have the power to control their own future and destiny.

Indigenous Women Rising co-founder Rae Guerra-Lorenzo on why they support abortion access: Our reproductive health, including abortion care, is sacred. Our children are sacred because they are the entities into which we pour our time and love because we want to, not because we are forced to.

I am proud to be an abortion provider in Illinois, especially at a time when access is hanging by a thread in some parts of the country. Since Texas enacted its unconstitutional 6-week abortion ban and other states—including some of Illinois’ neighbors—are considering similar measures, we need everyone to fight to defend abortion access.

In my 20’s I felt like I was an empty basket. If I met someone who could fill my basket with as much self-loathing and hatred as I felt for myself, I would let them. By the time I was 26, I had three children when I discovered I was pregnant again. I’m telling my story now because I believe we all have a right to reproductive health care and there should be no shame in choices we make.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with young people seeking abortion, I see firsthand the harm created by the Parental Notification of Abortion Act (PNA). We need to trust young people to make their own health care decisions.

I am thankful every day to work alongside medical professionals who dedicate their lives to ensuring people seeking abortion care have access to the high-quality, compassionate care they need, without judgement. In my heart, National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers lasts all year long.

While President Biden and Vice President Harris are ushering in a progressive agenda, reproductive rights are still in grave danger because of Trump-era policies and the conservative-leaning Supreme Court. Supporting social safety net organizations like PPIL is more important than ever to ensure equitable access to essential health care in Illinois.

My high school life changed when I was raped and then found myself pregnant. Planned Parenthood not only provided critical abortion care, it connected me with other teens who were struggling with the same issues I was. It meant everything to know I wasn’t alone. It gave me the strength to come back to myself.

Me quedé embarazada a los 15 años y me abrí camino en el mundo como madre adolescente. Cuando tenía 17 años, tuve un aborto. Ahora me he presentado para ayudar a romper el ciclo de silencio y vergüenza, y alentar a otras mujeres latinx a compartir sus historias también.