Planned Parenthood of Illinois Celebrates 70 Years of Family Planning Services in Champaign

Champaign, IL – Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) celebrated 70 years of providing family planning services in Champaign County tonight at Champaign & Chocolate, a benefit event for PPIL held at the I-Hotel.

Since its doors opened in 1940, Planned Parenthood in Champaign has been a leading provider of reproductive health care for area residents. Last year, the health center had 11,200 patient visits. 69% of the patients served live at or below the federal poverty level.

The Champaign heath center offers comprehensive reproductive health care services at a sliding scale fee including: gynecological exams, birth control services, STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing and options counseling, HIV testing and counseling, HPV vaccine, Hepatitis A & B vaccine, the abortion pill up to 9 weeks and men’s health services.

State Senator Mike Frerichs and State Representative Naomi D. Jakobsson were honored at Champaign and Chocolate with the prestigious Illinois Voice for Choice Award for their leadership and commitment to protecting reproductive health care.

“We are deeply grateful for their support as devoted advocates in the advancement of reproductive justice,” said Beth Kanter, Senior Vice President of External Affairs. “Both have worked tirelessly to promote our mission and we could not be more appreciative of the stances they have taken in defense of women’s access to reproductive health care.”
 
Peer educators from PPIL’s Teen Awareness Group (TAG) based in Champaign, Decatur and Bloomington also participated in the evening’s event.

PPIL peer educators are high school students who complete 60 hours of comprehensive sexuality education training that enables them to lead one-on-one and group discussions in local social service organizations, professional organizations and faith communities to educate other teens, parents and community members about making healthy decisions.

Local TV personality, Mike Sola, WILL-TV, served as Master of Ceremonies.

All event proceeds directly benefited PPIL’s programs and services.