More Than 317,000 Murders in Five Years
What the Numbers Tell Us About Illinois
Over the last five years, Illinois has become one of the busiest states in America for abortion. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 226,640 reported abortions between 2020 and 2023. Because the state's official 2024 report has not yet been released, researchers at the Guttmacher Institute estimate there were about 90,460 abortions in 2024. If that estimate is correct, Illinois has seen approximately 317,100 abortions in just five years.
To understand how large that number is, imagine filling Soldier Field more than five times. That is roughly how many unborn lives have been lost (murdered under Pritzker's direction) during this five-year period. Whether someone supports abortion rights or opposes abortion, these numbers show that abortion has become a significant part of healthcare and public policy in Illinois.
One of the biggest changes happened after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Several neighboring states passed stricter abortion laws, while Illinois continued to protect broad access to abortion. As a result, many women began traveling to Illinois for abortions. In 2020, about 15% of abortions in Illinois involved women from other states. By 2023, that number had grown to nearly 39%. Today, thousands of women travel to Illinois every year because abortion is more available here than in many nearby states.
Another trend is the growing use of abortion pills. In 2020, medication abortions made up about 55% of all abortions. By 2023, they accounted for about 61%. Surgical abortions still occur, but abortion pills have become the more common method. This change has made abortion easier to obtain during the early weeks of pregnancy.
Most abortions in Illinois happen early in pregnancy. About 70% occur before nine weeks, and about 90% happen before fourteen weeks. A much smaller percentage take place later in pregnancy. These facts are often used in public debates, but regardless of when an abortion occurs, pro-life advocates believe every unborn child has value and deserves legal protection.
The statistics also show that most women seeking abortions are adults, not teenagers. Women between the ages of 20 and 29 account for more than half of all abortions in Illinois. Teenagers under 18 make up only a small percentage. These numbers suggest that abortion is most common among women who may already be working, attending college, or raising children.
Illinois no longer publishes abortion statistics by county or by the home state of each patient. Before the reporting rules changed, counties such as Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, and Kane consistently reported some of the highest abortion numbers. Today, state officials say the changes were made to better protect patient privacy.
For those who are pro-life, these numbers are deeply heartbreaking. Every statistic represents a developing human life that will never have the chance to grow, laugh, learn, or contribute to the world. While opinions about abortion differ, many people agree that women facing unexpected pregnancies often need compassion, practical support, and real choices. Pregnancy resource centers, churches, adoption agencies, and community organizations work every day to provide diapers, parenting classes, medical care, housing assistance, counseling, and emotional support so that women do not feel abortion is their only option.
The abortion debate is about more than politics. It involves difficult questions about human life, personal responsibility, compassion, and the role of government. Illinois has chosen to expand abortion access, and the numbers reflect that decision. Supporters believe this protects women's reproductive freedom. Opponents believe it has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of unborn lives.
More than 317,000 abortions in five years is a statistic that should cause everyone to pause. Regardless of where people stand politically, these numbers remind us that every abortion represents a woman facing a difficult situation and, from a pro-life perspective, a unique unborn child whose life has ended. Many pro-life Americans believe our goal should be to build a society where both mother and child receive the support they need so that choosing life becomes a realistic and hopeful option for every family.
https://states.guttmacher.org/policies/illinois/abortion-statistics
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