SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – Abortion rights advocates often refer to Illinois as a safe haven. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Planned Parenthood of Illinois has had an influx of patients coming from 40 different states.
“We’ve seen a 54% increase in overall abortion care patients so there is a large need for more care in Illinois,” Katie Stanczykiewicz, the director of government relations for Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, said.
To address that need, a bill in the Capitol could bring in more out of state health-care providers. Under the proposal, providers who relocate to Illinois because of abortion restrictions or bans in their state could get a $500 tax credit.
“Anything we can do to ensure that whoever comes to Illinois, whether they live in Illinois or they’re an out of state patient, get the care they need, we support that,” Stanczykiewicz said. "This bill would ensure that more providers come to Illinois and so when we see more patients coming to Illinois, we can provide that care.”
The proposal would also apply to patients. And it’s not just limited to abortions, people relocating to Illinois for gender affirming care because of restrictions where they’re from would also qualify.
"This is about welcoming people to become residents of our state to bring their talents to bring their skills to bring their energy and passion to our state where they are fully welcome," State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, the bill’s sponsor, (D-Chicago), said. "$500 is not going to make an enormous difference in someone’s life, beyond making them feel welcome, and it’s a little bit of what we can do."
In addition to patients and providers, educators could also get the credit if they’re coming to Illinois because of limits on what they can teach.
“This is a wide range of folks who are finding themselves unsafe and unwelcome in the places that they’ve called home for sometimes their entire lives,” Cassidy said.
State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) opposes the bill. In a statement, he said “We have seen many other states protect the rights of the unborn and protect our kids in schools, but Illinois has gone the opposite direction. We have many great teachers and educators in Illinois. It is my hope they stand against this bill, we must oppose this type of legislation or our future will be lost.”
If the bill becomes law, people would get the credit on their 2024 taxes.
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via WCIA.com https://www.wcia.com
February 15, 2024 at 10:33PM
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