Illinois abortion providers hope lawmakers pass plan addressing rising violence, harassment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Planned Parenthood leaders have reported a significant rise in harassment and violence against patients and providers since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. They are now calling on the General Assembly to pass legislation to help address the violent activity.

Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights) and Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) held a roundtable discussion Tuesday with leaders from Planned Parenthood Illinois and volunteers who help escort patients to clinics.

Planned Parenthood Illinois Action President and CEO Jennifer Welch said patients in Peoria are still having to travel to other communities for care after their clinic was destroyed by an arsonist early last year.

"For abortion providers across the country, they have experienced a 20% increase in death threats, a 25% increase in health center invasions and an over 200% increase in stalking cases related to abortion," Welch said.

A recent study by the National Abortion Federation found there has been a 100% increase in arson and 229% increase in stalking related to abortion.

This comes less than a year after a 73-year-old man drove his car through the entrance of a future abortion clinic in Danville in an attempt to set the property on fire. Phillip Buyno was sentenced Monday to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

"I can't think of any other health care service where people have to face the level of harassment and intimidation and obstruction as patients and providers face every single day when they are walking through Planned Parenthood health centers," said Yamelsie Rodriquez, President and CEO of Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.

A coalition of providers and advocates called for action Tuesday to address the increased harassment and aggressive tactics patients and providers have experienced in Illinois. Access Health Ltd., Alamo Women's Clinic of Illinois, Choices Center for Reproductive Health, Equity Clinic, Hope Clinic, and the Rockford Family Planning Clinic joined Planned Parenthood in the push for lawmakers.

"Since Illinois is a critical access point for abortion care in the Midwest, abortion providers are targets for violence and aggressive harassment from anti-abortion extremists," the Illinois Abortion Providers Coalition said. "Several abortion providers throughout the state have experienced violent attacks, and almost all providers have seen a historic increase in aggressive individuals trying to prevent patients from accessing care."

The providers stressed that they will continue to be a resource for reproductive and sexual health care for in-state and out-of-state patients for years to come.