Reproductive rights are on the line this election, and Illinois must keep up the fight
In 2016, Donald Trump proclaimed, “there has to be some form of punishment” for a woman who receives abortion care. Six years later, the Supreme Court, dominated by right-wing Trump appointees, empowered state politicians to decide what kind of health care you can access based on where you live. Since that time, 21 states have banned or severely restricted abortion.When Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022 in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization 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 could wield against Republicans’ cruel attacks on reproductive freedom. Herself a former state attorney general, Harris was forward-thinking in bringing us together to plan the post-Dobbs fight against these harmful state policies. Since then, I am proud to have championed and defended multiple protections for Illinois patients and providers.With Illinois perceived as a "deep blue" state, many residents think we have nothing to worry about when it comes to protecting reproductive justice. The reality is that Illinois must constantly defend the policies we have put in place to preserve reproductive freedom. And if Trump is elected again, Illinois will certainly bear the burden of fighting more legal battles against the challengers of reproductive freedom. Opinion bug Opinion 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 has stepped up, with legal guidance and advocacy from my office, to enact comprehensive laws expanding and protecting reproductive health care access and coverage. While Trump and the anti-abortion Supreme Court justices he proudly appointed rolled back reproductive rights, Illinois stood firm. Related Spike in out-of-state abortion patients is a reason to keep abortion rights in mind this November On anniversary of Roe v. Wade reversal, anti-abortion movement won’t ‘give up’ That is why my job as the Illinois attorney general is so important. My office has fiercely defended insurance coverage of abortion services and access to medication abortion, while helping put in place safeguards to meet the increased demand for care, protect reproductive health patients and providers, and guarantee care if a patient’s health or life is on the line.Putting women at risk of dyingWe do not yet know the outcome of the presidential election, but we do know exactly what Trump and his administration will do to reproductive services if he is elected. He will cut off access to mifepristone, the most commonly used method of abortion, crucial for patients living far from other forms of care. He will use his power to investigate and punish patients and doctors who seek and provide abortion care. And dangerously, MAGA extremists will not stop at abortion. The Trump administration will come after contraceptive access, gender-affirming care, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment and assisted reproduction technology. Because of Trump’s actions, women — even those intending to carry their pregnancies to term — have been forced to travel long distances for lifesaving treatment, suffering further harm and even death. Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, claim to be pro-family, yet they are fine with letting mothers die after being denied critical emergency care.As long as I serve as Illinois attorney general, I promise to continue my fight for comprehensive access to health care — including abortion, miscarriage management, fertility treatments, emergency care, medication abortion and gender-affirming care. I will ensure Illinois continues to flourish as an oasis for individuals seeking necessary care despite the Republican extremists challenging our laws on multiple fronts. My job is to defend our state’s laws in court against anti-abortion challengers, and I commit to fortifying personal freedoms regardless of who wins the presidency in November.Our freedoms are at stake no matter where we live. This is a close election. And the fight is not over.Kwame Raoul is Illinois' attorney generalSend letters to letters@suntimes.comThe views and opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chicago Sun-Times or any of its affiliates.
In 2016, Donald Trump proclaimed, “there has to be some form of punishment” for a woman who receives abortion care. Six years later, the Supreme Court, dominated by right-wing Trump appointees, empowered state politicians to decide what kind of health care you can access based on where you live. Since that time, 21 states have banned or severely restricted abortion.
When Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022 in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization 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 could wield against Republicans’ cruel attacks on reproductive freedom. Herself a former state attorney general, Harris was forward-thinking in bringing us together to plan the post-Dobbs fight against these harmful state policies. Since then, I am proud to have championed and defended multiple protections for Illinois patients and providers.
With Illinois perceived as a "deep blue" state, many residents think we have nothing to worry about when it comes to protecting reproductive justice. The reality is that Illinois must constantly defend the policies we have put in place to preserve reproductive freedom. And if Trump is elected again, Illinois will certainly bear the burden of fighting more legal battles against the challengers of 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 has stepped up, with legal guidance and advocacy from my office, to enact comprehensive laws expanding and protecting reproductive health care access and coverage. While Trump and the anti-abortion Supreme Court justices he proudly appointed rolled back reproductive rights, Illinois stood firm.
That is why my job as the Illinois attorney general is so important. My office has fiercely defended insurance coverage of abortion services and access to medication abortion, while helping put in place safeguards to meet the increased demand for care, protect reproductive health patients and providers, and guarantee care if a patient’s health or life is on the line.
Putting women at risk of dying
We do not yet know the outcome of the presidential election, but we do know exactly what Trump and his administration will do to reproductive services if he is elected. He will cut off access to mifepristone, the most commonly used method of abortion, crucial for patients living far from other forms of care.
He will use his power to investigate and punish patients and doctors who seek and provide abortion care. And dangerously, MAGA extremists will not stop at abortion.
The Trump administration will come after contraceptive access, gender-affirming care, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment and assisted reproduction technology. Because of Trump’s actions, women — even those intending to carry their pregnancies to term — have been forced to travel long distances for lifesaving treatment, suffering further harm and even death. Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, claim to be pro-family, yet they are fine with letting mothers die after being denied critical emergency care.
As long as I serve as Illinois attorney general, I promise to continue my fight for comprehensive access to health care — including abortion, miscarriage management, fertility treatments, emergency care, medication abortion and gender-affirming care. I will ensure Illinois continues to flourish as an oasis for individuals seeking necessary care despite the Republican extremists challenging our laws on multiple fronts.
My job is to defend our state’s laws in court against anti-abortion challengers, and I commit to fortifying personal freedoms regardless of who wins the presidency in November.
Our freedoms are at stake no matter where we live. This is a close election. And the fight is not over.
Kwame Raoul is Illinois' attorney general
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com
The views and opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chicago Sun-Times or any of its affiliates.
What's Your Reaction?
