By Madhu Mayer
Hundreds of protesters gathered at Settlers’ Park in Plainfield on Saturday to voice their concerns over the future of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. Many in attendance expressed their thoughts on the subject.
Organized by Will County Progressives, protesters converged in Plainfield for the Bans Off Our Bodies, which was one of more than 400 rallies scheduled nationwide in response to a leaked document stating the Supreme Court may overturn the historic 1973 Roe v Wade ruling later this summer.
With the release of the leaked document many states are preparing in the event the ruling is overturned including Illinois. Gov J.B. Pritzker this week announced that the state of Illinois has received $5.4 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that will support and expand access to equitable and affordable family planning services for low-income populations across Illinois. This federal grant, along with $5.8 million in state general revenue funds, means the Illinois Family Planning Program is providing approximately $11.2 million in funding in state Fiscal Year 2023 to 29 delegate agencies that operate 98 family planning clinics throughout the state.
The new HHS grant to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will support access to Title X services under the Illinois Family Planning Program that were sharply restricted under the previous federal administration, which imposed a “gag rule” that blocked family planning clinics from referring patients to abortion providers.
“Let this record-breaking investment remind women that the state of Illinois trusts you to make your own choices. To choose what contraceptives are right for you. To choose whether you want to be a parent or not. And we will make sure that—on top of protecting your right to choose—you get the care that you deserve.” Title X provides a holistic portfolio of critical preventive health services, including HIV prevention and testing, breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment, and reproductive health care for thousands of low-income, uninsured, and under-insured Illinois residents and families each year.
According to Politico newspaper article, the Supreme Court decision could put abortion policy back in the hands of state legislators.
Natalie Morales of Bolingbrook, 26, said she was compelled to attend the rally.
“I have friends and families in other states like Texas where they may not be able to get an abortion legally,” she said. “This means Illinois could see an influx of women seeking abortions because our state allows it.”
Jackie Nance of Joliet questioned the legitimacy of overturning the ruling, saying she is against anything that restricts abortion rights. She fears the Supreme Court’s decision will further harm disadvantaged minorities, especially African Americans.
“How dare the Supreme Court send women back 100 years,” she said. “I am an African-America woman in my 60s and this was something I never thought I would see in my lifetime. This was a protection for women, and it is our right to choose whether we want to carry a baby to term or no. We as women deserve to make decisions about our bodies. It will be sad if my daughter has fewer rights than I did growing up.”
Miranda Szadarski of Plainfield, who did not attend the rally but heard about the event from her neighbors, offered an opposing view.
“I do not have a problem with women having the right to choose,” she said. “But you should not allow abortions in later terms. I support women having abortions in cases of rape, incest or medical emergencies only.”
Teresa Castillo of Shorewood promised women will make their voices heard and brace the fight to keep abortion legal.
“This is a decision that not only affects me, but my daughters and future generations,” she said. “This is America, not a third world country without democracy.”