Chicago Abortion Fund Sees Busiest First Quarter in 40+ Year History
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Olivia Kuncio, Communications Manager
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Chicago Abortion Fund Sees Busiest First Quarter in 40+ Year History
As abortion bans force people to cross state lines for abortion care, CAF sees all-time high in costs and support request volume
CHICAGO, IL– April 28, 2026 – Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) announced today that in the first quarter of 2026, Illinois’s statewide abortion fund received its highest ever volume of support requests from abortion seekers. In addition, CAF’s first quarter spending on procedure and support costs hit new, disproportionate highs amidst rising prices and increased barriers to access.
In the first three months of 2026, CAF has:
Fielded more than 5,000 support requests from people seeking assistance in obtaining an abortion, the highest three-month period total in CAF’s over 40 year history.
Distributed nearly $3 million towards appointment and support costs like travel, childcare, groceries, and more
Spent double the amount on appointments and travel-related support costs compared to Q1 of 2025, at an average increase of about 250 more callers per month.
This is consistent with newly released data from the Guttmacher Institute placing Illinois as a top receiving state in 2025. According to this data:
1 in 4 people who travelled across state lines for abortion care in 2025 came to Illinois, totaling approximately 32,000 patients.
43% of all out-of-state patients who travelled to Illinois received direct support from CAF, up from 28% in 2024.
Cost-of-living increases and price surges are having a major impact on the Chicago Abortion Fund and the people they serve. Rising gas prices, cuts to essential support services, delays at airports, and overall higher costs across the board are not an abstract concept for those seeking abortion care – they are an everyday lived struggle that contribute to the barriers abortion seekers face. CAF remains committed to its mission of ensuring access to abortion care for everyone they serve, despite travel disruptions, changes to care plans, or other barriers that may arise in this volatile landscape.
Statement from Megan Jeyifo, Chicago Abortion Fund Executive Director:
“Every month that passes since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022 makes it increasingly clear: people are still seeking abortions, and they are facing higher barriers than ever. The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) is proud to be here to meet that increasing need. As the number of callers we field every month increases, average costs of care, travel, and support are also skyrocketing. Over the first three months of 2026, CAF saw a 15% increase in callers but a 76% increase in costs compared to the same time period in 2025. In that time, we pushed out nearly $3 million to directly support over 5,000 people facing barriers to abortion care.
CAF is a national model for abortion access. Our individualized case management model allows our team to address the unique needs of tens of thousands of callers every year. Whether it’s coordinating travel, covering appointment costs, or navigating the access landscape, CAF is here to offer financial and emotional support. However, this means that as costs rise across the board, so too do the cost barriers that each of our callers face. Federal government cuts to SNAP and Medicaid have taken away vital resources needed to parent and made everyday life more difficult even without an unexpected pregnancy.
The strong protections for abortion we have in Illinois are a testament to the work of our elected officials and advocates. But as long as so many other states restrict access and criminalize abortion and abortion providers, CAF’s work will always be central to the abortion ecosystem. We are ready to meet the moment with the support of our partners and supporters.”
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The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) is the largest abortion fund in the country. For 40 years, we've been breaking down barriers to abortion care in Chicago, the Midwest, and beyond. CAF offers support for people seeking abortion care in Illinois including, procedure funding, travel and related needs like childcare, emotional support and logistical expertise. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade CAF has received support requests from over 50,000 people in 45 states and pushed out over $20 million in direct assistance and wrap-around support. In 2025 alone, CAF fielded nearly 20,000 support requests and spent over $10 million on appointment and travel costs.