New law in Illinois will expand reproductive rights

ILLINOIS(KBSI) – A new law in Illinois will expand reproductive rights.

A law that takes effect on January 1, 2024, prohibits discrimination based on a person’s reproductive health decisions, including fertility care and abortion.

“At a time when reproductive rights are under attack across the nation, Illinois is standing strong,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This law makes it clear: no one should face discrimination for making personal decisions about their reproductive health. Whether it’s fertility care or abortion, your choices are your own, and your rights are protected.”

The law clarifies and extends existing protections in the Illinois Human Rights Act, ensuring Illinoisans have the right to engage in reproductive health decision-making without facing discrimination.

“The law is a common-sense measure to ensure that personal decisions about reproductive care do not affect a person’s livelihood,” said Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) Director Jim Bennett. “This law protects Illinoisans and visitors from discrimination or retaliation based on the decisions they need to make concerning whether, when, and how to start a family.”

Reproductive health decisions include a broad continuum of personal decisions regarding assisted reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilization, prenatal, intranatal, and postnatal care as well as abortion and birth control, fertility or sterilization care, and miscarriage management care. The protections apply across all areas of the Act, advancing the state’s leadership in protecting reproductive rights.