SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, passed a bicameral measure through the House and Senate chambers this spring that protects Illinoisans’ access to medication abortion and enhances a shield law to prevent federal interference.
“With federal reproductive protections under constant attack, safeguarding abortion medication in Illinois is essential to preserve women’s personal freedoms and ensure people can make decisions about their bodies without interference,” said Avelar.
Avelar’s House Bill 3637 would further strengthen Illinois’ Shield Law by reinforcing the Illinois Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to safeguard access to medication abortion. The shield law protects healthcare professionals providing lawful healthcare in Illinois, and was strengthened in 2024 to prevent the state from sharing information on lawful procedures done in Illinois.
House Bill 3637 takes these protections further by ultimately “future-proofing” Illinois law — preempting federal overreach of a medication if already approved by the World Health Organization, ensuring residents have access to medically necessary and life-saving reproductive health medications.
“This bill locks in women’s reproductive protections, mitigates federal overreach, and maintains that a woman has absolute autonomy over her life and health,” said Avelar.
Avelar’s measure passed out of both chambers this legislative session and now awaits the governor’s signature, expected later this summer.
Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar
(D-Bolingbrook)
85th District
Springfield Office:
265-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-4179
District Office:
1050 W. Romeo Rd
Romeoville, IL 60446
(815) 372-0085