PEORIA, Ill. (WAND) — Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) has reopened the Peoria Health Center after it was severely damaged by a firebomb attack in early 2023.
The rebuilding and renovations amounted to more than $1 million. On Tuesday, PPIL held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and press conference with Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Michael Cabonargi, Congressman Eric Sorensen, and Illinois State Senator Dave Kohler to unveil the new facility.
“We are back and stronger than ever,” said President and CEO of PPIL, Jennifer Welch. “We know the vital role the Peoria Health Center plays in the central Illinois community. The arsonist may have destroyed our health center and robbed the community from accessing care, but we were also brought closer together. Thanks to the ongoing support from Peoria leaders, residents, and donors we have the pleasure to be part of this amazing community once again.”
The Peoria Health Center that was firebombed in January of 2023.
The clinic was attacked by a Chillicothe man who said he set the fire because he he believed his ex-partner had received an abortion there, and he was angry about it. He pleaded guilty in February of 2023 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison last summer.
In the two years since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, PPIL said it has experienced a 47% increase in overall abortion care patients and an unprecedented number of out-of-state patients traveling from over 41 different states making up nearly a quarter (25%) of the overall abortion patients compared to 3-5% prior to Dobbs decision.
“After so much hard work and determination by our neighbors, I’m excited to celebrate the reopening of the Peoria Planned Parenthood Clinic. What happened in January of last year was a tragic example of what happens when extremism comes home. But extremism will never, ever play in Peoria. We are a more resilient people than ever,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “I’m proud of the commitment of our Peoria community, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and our local law enforcement who have worked so hard to deliver justice and get our clinic back up and running to serve our neighbors, protect abortion access, and safeguard our freedoms.”
The Peoria Health Center features brand new equipment, one education room, three exam rooms, three ultrasound rooms, as well as administrative spaces.
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