Sangamon Sun

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois made a statement in response to the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling, which nullified Roe v. Wade's proclamation of a constitutional right to abortion. 

A number of states immediately outlawed abortion as a result of the ruling. Before the decision, Illinois increased abortion access and offered financial assistance to out-of-state women who desired abortions. 

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court of the United States marks an important moment for our nation, lifting a cloud that has hung over our country for nearly a half century,” Paprocki said. “There is no way to undo the tragedy of tens of millions of innocent lives lost or the decades of division sown by the Roe v. Wade decision. But, for the sake of future generations, we can now move forward with a more honest debate and efforts to advance policies and support programs that protect innocent life and promote stability and security for vulnerable mothers. 

Paprocki has previously spoken about abortion in which he said it is the “most heinous offense against God.”  He was also vocal about his stand after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation into law that repeals the Parental Notice of Abortion Act, calling it “a dark and disgraceful moment in the history of the State of Illinois,” Prairie State Wire reported.

“Much work remains to be done on both fronts, and that work will now necessarily have more of a local focus, particularly in our own home state of Illinois,” Paprocki said. “Importantly, these efforts must include prayer and concerted efforts to preserve peace in the face of recent violence, intimidation, and criminal vandalism against churches and government officials.” 

Facilities in the State of Illinois supporting abortions have been preparing for an increase in abortion requests. Along the state's border with states controlled by Republicans, Planned Parenthood has opened a number of additional abortion clinics. Abortion advocates anticipate a five-fold increase in the number of abortions. 

The number of women going to Illinois for abortions has been steadily increasing since 2014. The number of abortions conducted on non-residents in Illinois in 2019 was 7,534, up 150% over the previous five years, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, according to Block Club Chicago. Nonprofit organizations that support out-of-state abortion seekers, such the Chicago Abortion Fund, are partially responsible for the rise in the number of non-residents seeking abortions in the state.

Recently, the City of Chicago donated $500,000 to support women or color and poor women who need abortion care. The financing for numerous organizations, including the Midwest Access Coalition and the Chicago Abortion Fund, was granted by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “So we've got to be ready, and we've got to step up,” Lightfoot said prior to the U.S. Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, NBC Chicago reported.