Illinois ranks third nationally in teen abortions: study

(WTVO) — Illinois has the third-highest rate of teen abortions in the United States, according to a new study analyzing federal data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The research, conducted by the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, examined abortion statistics for teens ages 15 to 19 across all 50 states between 2018 and 2022.

Illinois recorded 454 abortions per 100,000 teens during that period, more than double the national average of 222.

The findings place Illinois behind only two other states, New Jersey and New York, in teen abortion rates. Around 470 abortions per 100,000 teens were performed in New Jersey while New York’s numbers reflect 524 abortions per 100,000 15- to 19-year-olds.

Researchers used data from the CDC’s Abortion Surveillance Reports, which track legal induced abortions reported by state health departments.

The Birth Injury Lawyers Group said its study aimed to highlight disparities in reproductive health access and outcomes among teens.

“Understanding where and why these rates are higher can help inform public health strategies and education efforts,” the group said in a statement.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has also reported a steady increase in overall abortion numbers in recent years. In 2023, the state recorded more than 72,000 abortions — the highest total since reporting began in 1973 — with a significant portion performed on out-of-state residents.

Experts say Illinois’ relatively high teen abortion rate may reflect broader access to reproductive health services compared to neighboring states, many of which have enacted stricter abortion laws following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

The CDC’s latest surveillance data shows that nationally, the number of abortions among teens has declined over the past decade, though rates vary widely by state.

Illinois law allows minors to obtain abortions without parental notification, a policy change enacted in 2021 when the state repealed its parental notice requirement. Advocates say the move expanded access for vulnerable youth, while critics argue it undermines parental rights.