Chicago Abortion Fund Statement on Governor Pritzker and Michael Reese Health Trust Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Alicia Hurtado, Director of Advocacy and Communications, media@chicagoabortionfund.org
Phone: (708) 552-0477
Chicago Abortion Fund Statement on Governor Pritzker and Michael Reese Health Trust Initiative
CHICAGO, IL — January 29, 2025 — Yesterday, Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) Executive Director Megan Jeyifo spoke at a press conference announcing the Prairie State Access Fund, a new pooled philanthropic fund led by Michael Reese Health Trust in partnership with the Governor’s Office. The initiative is intended to direct funding to organizations protecting and expanding reproductive health access in Chicago and across Illinois.
The Chicago Abortion Fund is Illinois' statewide abortion fund, and the largest abortion fund in the country. Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, CAF has fielded more than 50,000 support requests and distributed over $20 million in direct assistance to help people overcome barriers to abortion care.
Statement from Megan Jeyifo, Chicago Abortion Fund Executive Director:
“For over 40 years, the Chicago Abortion Fund has offered support to people facing barriers to abortion care. Last year alone, we invested nearly $2 million to help independent clinics build capacity, and we fielded more than 20,000 calls from people seeking financial and wrap-around logistical support — distributing nearly $10 million in appointment costs and travel support. The Chicago Abortion Fund is uniquely positioned both to get our callers the care they need today, and to translate what we are seeing on the ground into advocacy efforts that are actively shaping how Illinois responds to abortion access.
We are so proud to live in a state governed by leaders like Governor Pritzker, Lieutenant Governor Stratton, and Deputy Governor Hou who recognize that Illinois’ leadership matters far beyond its borders. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, Illinois has expanded its provider pool. We have clinic availability seven days a week, with little to no wait times. We have stood up a first-of-its-kind, hospital-based program for complex care. And we have passed proactive legislation that protects patients, providers, and the case managers who help people get to the care they want, need, and deserve.
As I reflect on how we got here, I think about the investments that made this possible. We are here because of deep listening and sustained support from philanthropy, from government, and from grassroots donors who have carried this work for decades. What we are seeing in Illinois is what happens when on-the-ground work is resourced, trusted, and allowed to scale.
Prairie State Access Fund builds on a model that works – strengthening the ecosystem that providers, abortion funds, and community organizations have spent decades building. It is a commitment to sustaining the infrastructure that allows Illinois not only to meet this moment, but to model what abortion access, and access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, can look like nationally.
As we have learned first-hand over CAF’s 40 years, an outsized role requires outsized support."
See Megan's full remarks, and remarks from Governor Pritzker and other partners, here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ByEzi91AQ/
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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 over 20,000 support requests and spent over $10 million on appointment and travel costs.