Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently signed a significant bill that will require all public colleges and universities in the state to provide students with access to the abortion pill mifepristone, starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance reproductive health care in Illinois.
Pritzker stated that the legislation aims to counter what he describes as “anti-choice extremists” and to ensure that residents have access to necessary health care services. The bill, known as HB3709, mandates that public universities offer consultations with health care professionals who can prescribe and dispense contraception and medication abortion on campus. Furthermore, institutions with on-campus pharmacies will need to provide these services to students.
In addition to HB3709, Pritzker signed another bill, HB3637, which addresses the use of mifepristone even if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed the drug unsafe. This bill modifies the state’s Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow health care providers to prescribe medications that have been withdrawn by the FDA but are still recognized as safe and effective by the World Health Organization (WHO). This change is particularly focused on mifepristone, which has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over abortion rights.
During the signing event, Pritzker emphasized his commitment to protecting medical choices for women in Illinois. He expressed pride in taking these steps but also acknowledged that the fight for reproductive rights is ongoing. “We will continue to activate and protest and march and deliver until every woman in this state gets the health care she deserves,” he said.
Mifepristone is used in medication abortions and is typically followed by another drug, misoprostol. While it is intended to terminate early pregnancies, concerns about its safety have surfaced. Reports indicate that complications can arise, including severe bleeding and infection. A recent analysis suggested that serious adverse events occur in more than 10% of women who take the drug, significantly higher than the FDA’s reported figure of less than 0.5%.
The FDA has committed to reviewing the safety of mifepristone, as the debate surrounding its use continues. This legislative action in Illinois reflects a growing trend in some states to expand access to reproductive health services amid ongoing national discussions about abortion rights.
