If you live in a state where abortion is restricted or banned, getting care may mean traveling.
Illinois is one of the closest states with full legal protection for abortion access, and Chicago has several clinics that serve patients from out of state.
This guide covers the current abortion laws in six nearby states: Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and explains what types of care are available at Women’s Aid Center in Chicago. The goal is simple: give you accurate, clear information so you can make the best decision for your situation.
What Illinois Law Protects
Illinois gives patients more legal protection than almost any other state in the Midwest.
Under the Illinois Reproductive Health Act, abortion is legal throughout pregnancy up to the point of fetal viability. There is no mandatory waiting period, no required counseling session, and no gestational limit (legal/medical restriction on when an abortion can be performed, which is based on the number of weeks you’re pregnant) set by law for pre-viability pregnancies
Minors can access abortion care without parental permission (Illinois repealed its parental notification requirement in June 2022).
Illinois Medicaid also covers abortion at no cost for eligible patients.
If you’re coming from another state, Illinois has a shield law that legally protects providers who treat out-of-state patients. There is no law in Illinois that prevents you from traveling here for care.
State Law Overview at a Glance
The table below gives a quick summary of each state’s current situation. Detailed explanations follow underneath.
| State | Current Law | What It Means for You | Need to Travel? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | Near-total ban in effect since August 2023 | Almost all abortions are illegal. Exceptions are narrow and hard to access. | Yes; for most patients |
| Iowa | 6-week ban in effect since July 2024 | Most patients are past 6 weeks before they know they’re pregnant. | Yes; for most patients |
| Missouri | Amendment 3 passed Nov 2024; access in active legal dispute | Clinics have paused and reopened multiple times. Access is not stable. | Recommended while courts decide |
| Ohio | Legal through ~22 weeks under 2023 constitutional amendment | Care is available in Ohio within the gestational limit. | Only if past 22 weeks |
| Michigan | No gestational limit; protected by 2022 constitutional amendment | Parental consent required for minors. Medicaid does not cover abortion. | For minors, Medicaid patients |
| Wisconsin | Legal through ~22 weeks; 1849 ban struck down July 2025 | Parental consent required for minors. Recently became accessible. | For minors, patients past 22 weeks |
Indiana
Abortion is banned in Indiana in almost all cases.
The law, Indiana Senate Bill 1, has been in effect since August 2023. There are three narrow exceptions:
- If the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest and was reported to law enforcement or a health agency within a specific window
- If the fetus has been diagnosed with a condition that is incompatible with life outside the womb, or;
- If your health is in serious danger
Even when an exception applies, the procedure must take place in a hospital or hospital-owned surgical center; standalone abortion clinics were effectively shut down when the law passed.
For most people in Indiana, that means getting care in another state. Indiana has no law that makes it illegal for you to travel out of state for an abortion. Illinois is the closest state with full access, and Chicago is reachable from most of Indiana within two to four hours.
Iowa
Iowa bans abortion after cardiac activity is detected, which can happen as early as six weeks into pregnancy.
Six weeks is earlier than most people realize they’re pregnant. Many patients don’t get a positive home pregnancy test until around that point. Iowa’s law has been in effect since July 29, 2024. Exceptions exist for rape (if reported to law enforcement or a health agency within 45 days), incest (reported within 140 days), fetal conditions that are incompatible with life, and medical emergencies.
If you’re in Iowa and think you might be pregnant, time is the most important factor.
By the time a positive test appears and you schedule an appointment, many patients are already at or past six weeks. Illinois is the closest state with no gestational limit, and Chicago is within driving distance for most of Iowa’s eastern population.
Missouri
Missouri’s situation is complicated, and it has changed multiple times in the past year.
In November 2024, Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights. But in May 2025, the Missouri Supreme Court complicated how that protection applies, and several clinics paused services. A trial court restored access to pre-viability abortions in July 2025, but the state appealed that ruling and the case is still being resolved.
If you’re in Missouri and need care now, the safest decision is to seek care in Illinois rather than wait to see how the courts rule.
Access in Missouri has changed multiple times in a single year. What is available today may not be available when you’re ready to schedule.
Ohio
Ohio voters added abortion rights to the state constitution in November 2023.
Abortion is legal in Ohio through approximately 22 weeks of pregnancy. The constitutional amendment currently protects access before viability, and there is no mandatory waiting period.
If you’re within that gestational window, you may be able to access care in Ohio. Chicago and Women’s Aid Center are an option if you’re past 22 weeks, or if you prefer to receive care here for any other reason.
Michigan
Michigan voters added abortion rights to the state constitution in November 2022.
There is no gestational limit in Michigan. The constitutional amendment protects abortion throughout pregnancy. Two restrictions remain that do not exist in Illinois:
- Minors must have parental consent, and;
- Michigan Medicaid does not cover abortion.
If you’re a minor in Michigan who needs confidential care, or if cost is a barrier because of the Medicaid gap, coming to Illinois may be a better option. Illinois Medicaid covers abortion at no cost, and financial assistance is available for patients without coverage.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court struck down an 1849 abortion ban on July 2, 2025.
Abortion is now legal in Wisconsin through approximately 22 weeks of pregnancy. The ruling means most patients in Wisconsin can access care in-state. One restriction that remains is parental consent for minors.
If you’re a minor seeking confidential care, or if you are past 22 weeks, Illinois remains a fully accessible option.
Abortion Care Available at Women’s Aid Center in Chicago
Women’s Aid Center is located at 4801 W Peterson Ave, Suite 609, in Chicago. Our clinic has served patients since 1973 and welcomes patients from out of state.
We offer the following abortion services:
Medication abortion (abortion pill)
Medication abortion is available up to 11 weeks from your last menstrual period.
The process uses two medications. The first, mifepristone, is taken at the clinic. It works by blocking the hormones that support the pregnancy. The second medication, misoprostol, is taken at home 24 to 48 hours later.
It causes cramping and bleeding that typically lasts four to six hours and passes the pregnancy. Spotting may also continue for up to four weeks after.
We always recommend a follow-up appointment one to two weeks later to confirm everything is complete and check for any complications. The FDA has approved this regimen and it has been used safely by millions of patients.
For a more detailed outline of how the abortion pill process works, read this quick guide.
Surgical abortion
For patients who prefer an in-clinic procedure, or for pregnancies past 11 weeks, Women’s Aid Center provides surgical abortion services.
The most common method is vacuum aspiration, which involves gently removing the pregnancy through the cervix. The procedure takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes and is performed by a board-certified gynecologist. Patients can choose local anesthesia or sedation. Most patients are able to return to normal activities the same day.
Telehealth
Medication abortion is available via telehealth for patients who are under 10 weeks and physically located in Illinois at the time of the appointment.
This is a legal requirement for telehealth abortion services in Illinois, you must be in the state when you connect with the provider. The consultation takes approximately 15 minutes by secure video. If you qualify, medications are mailed discreetly to your Illinois address and typically arrive within two to three business days.
We provide a step-by-step guide on how to start your telehealth abortion service here.
Does Women’s Aid Center Offer Financial Assistance?
If you have Illinois Medicaid, your appointment is covered at no cost with no copay. You can learn more about Medicaid options here.
Out-of-state patients are eligible for financial assistance. Call the clinic before your appointment to ask what help is available, or schedule an appointment directly. Our clinic accepts various forms of payment and works with patients to make care as accessible as possible.
Can I Get an Abortion on the Same Day I Book an Appointment?
We offer same-day and next-day appointments here at Women’s Aid Center. Saturday appointments are also offered. If you are coming from out of state and need help planning your visit, the clinic can assist with information about what to expect.
Get Abortion Care in Chicago at Women’s Aid Center
To schedule an appointment or ask about eligibility and cost, call (773) 725-4232 or book online at womensaidcenter.com.
Our clinic is located at 4801 W Peterson Ave, Suite 609, Chicago, just east of I-94, with free parking and elevator access. We also have multilingual staff (Spanish is available).
Last Updated on May 15, 2026 by Womens Aid Center Chicago