Blue Room Press Conference Today: Reproductive Health Working Group introduces Proposal

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Leading stakeholders and the House Reproductive Health and the Dobbs Decision Working Group, led by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, will unveil their proposal today to expand and strengthen state reproductive freedoms in the wake of the Dobbs Supreme Court decision.

“We recognize that anti-choice extremists will do everything in their power to attack the right for people to control their own bodies,” Cassidy said. “That’s why it’s critical that we do everything that we can to strengthen protections here in Illinois – not just when it comes to abortion access but also with gender-affirming health care, provider assistance, fertility treatment and more.”

Since July, the House Reproductive Health Working Group has engaged expert stakeholders for recommendations on ways to strengthen Illinois’ standing as a leader in reproductive freedoms. Under the package introduced as Senate Bill 3799, the working group is aiming to strengthen provider protections, increase access to care and eliminate problematic statutes that could impact reproductive and gender-affirming health care access.

Gender-affirming health care supports transgender individuals and encompasses social, psychological, behavioral and medical interventions aimed at supporting an individual’s gender identity.

“In recent months we’ve had a productive dialogue with health care providers, advocates and other relevant stakeholders from our state and around the country,” Cassidy said. “This valuable insight is resulting in carefully crafted legislation that will be more inclusive and bring needed reinforcement for protections in Illinois.”

Who: House Reproductive Health and the Dobbs Decision Working Group

What: Introduction of legislation strengthening reproductive health freedoms

When: Immediately following the House Executive Committee

Where: Capitol Blue Room, Springfield