New Study Shows Nearly 25% of Patients Forced to Travel For Abortions Come to Illinois
Newly released data from the Guttmacher Institute shows that nearly 1 in 4 abortions for those who traveled across state lines took place in Illinois, continuing trend from 2024
Chicago, IL – March 31, 2026 — Last week, the Guttmacher Institute released new data on abortion provision across the United States in 2025. Overall, national trends show stability in the number of abortions provided, with 142,000 people crossing state lines to receive care.
Illinois continues to receive the highest number of out-of-state abortion patients (32,000) – with a volume that is nearly double the number provided in the second-highest state, North Carolina (almost 18,000). This proportion mirrors Guttmacher’s 2024 data, where an accompanying policy analysis highlighted the Chicago Abortion Fund’s work navigating people facing barriers to care as part of the conditions that have allowed Illinois to remain a key access point for both Illinoisans and those across the South and Midwest.
The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) is Illinois’ statewide abortion fund, and the largest abortion fund in the country. CAF provides financial, logistical, and emotional support to people facing barriers to abortion care in Illinois and beyond. In 2025, CAF distributed over $10 million in appointment costs and related travel needs, in addition to investing over $1.8 million in clinic and provider capacity-building to reinforce Illinois’ abortion ecosystem and build more responsive, compassionate pathways to care.
Statement from Megan Jeyifo, Chicago Abortion Fund Executive Director:
“Illinois is carrying a staggering share of the national need for abortion care – and the latest data confirms what we see at the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) every single day. Our state provided nearly one fourth of all abortions for people who had to travel across state lines, far more than anywhere else in the country. Last year, CAF fielded nearly 20,000 support requests from people in over 40 states, and we didn’t turn anyone away who was relying on Illinois for care.
While we continue to see high numbers of people relying on Illinois for abortion care, the barriers each of these people face are more costly and more difficult than ever. In just the first 2 months of 2026, we have spent $2 million to break down appointment costs and travel-related barriers for over 3,000 people, allowing them to access the care they want, need, and deserve. Compared to this time last year, this is an average increase of about 200 people per month – but is nearly double the dollar amount for direct abortion support.
Illinois is a national model for abortion access. These travel patterns are not an accident. They reveal a deep, collaborative, public-private infrastructure designed to make abortion access possible. In Illinois, elected officials and advocates have collaborated with direct service providers to build responsive political conditions that not only protect, but expand abortion access. Our abortion provider partners statewide have increased their capacity to maintain low wait times, and new clinics have opened their doors. And CAF, as the largest abortion fund in the country, has deepened our support to ensure that the protections and capacity we have built in Illinois are accessible to all, no matter who they are, where they are from, or the resources they have.”
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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.