SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker marked the fourth anniversary of the Dobbs decision by signing a bill into law to create more protections for abortion patients. Democrats say Illinois will remain a beacon of freedom for abortion rights regardless of Republican attacks.

Pritzker said Illinois is rejecting the invasion of privacy rights led by Republican states across the country.

The Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act will ensure people receiving care in Illinois will not have their sensitive records shared without their consent. It requires electronic health networks to prevent all medical codes related to abortion and gender dysmorphia from leaving Illinois unless the patient approves that information can be shared.

"A woman seeking care should not have to wonder whether her private health information could be used against her," Pritzker said Wednesday. "A healthcare provider should not have to fear that patient records will become a tool for political prosecution and persecution."

The law calls on electronic health networks to separate sensitive medical information from the rest of the patient's record and automatically disable access of that data to people and entities outside of the state. 

Republicans said it is hard to overstate how unworkable and unnecessary this law is.

"This bill fundamentally misinterprets and mischaracterizes what the medical record is for, a private and protected communication between healthcare professionals to take care of patients," said Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton). 

However, Democrats said nearly one in four people seeking abortions out-of-state choose Illinois because of the state's pro-abortion laws.

"We change the trajectory of lives, of lineages of the future, of so many people who are residents of the state of Illinois but also who come to Illinois seeking something that should be legal throughout this country but unfortunately isn't because it has been politicized," said Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago).

This law will take effect July 1, 2027.

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.