Other Anti-Choice Law

Illinois has created additional threats to privacy and choice by adding anti-choice language to its state code to express its opposition to abortion and its intent to restrict the right to choose to the greatest extent possible.

The General Assembly "solemnly declare[s] and find[s] in reaffirmation of the longstanding policy of this State, that the unborn child is a human being from the time of conception and is, therefore, a legal person for purposes of the unborn child's right to life and is entitled to the right to life from conception under the laws and Constitution of this State. . . . [I]f those [abortion-related] decisions of the United States Supreme Court are ever reversed or modified or the United States Constitution is amended to allow protection of the unborn then the former policy of this State to prohibit abortions unless necessary for the preservation of the mother's life shall be reinstated."  720 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. § 510/1 (Enacted 1975; Last Amended 1979).  Since Illinois' pre-Roe abortion ban has been repealed, additional legislation would likely be required to actually reinstate the ban.