CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois’ governor has signed legislation to repeal a requirement that parents or guardians be notified when girls younger than 18 are seeking an abortion.
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker says it’s an effort to safeguard reproductive rights that are being stripped and threatened elsewhere.
The bill Pritzker signed Friday was approved by the Illinois Legislature this fall. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, it repeals a 1995 act requiring that a parent or guardian be notified at least 48 hours in advance when a minor 17 or younger seeks an abortion.
Republicans criticized Pritzker and Democrats for stripping parents of their rights and say the repeal puts girls across the Midwest in danger.
According to the most recent data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, 7,534 nonresidents received abortions in Illinois in 2019, compared with 2,970 in 2014 and 5,528 in 2017.
HB 370 is effective June 1, 2022.
