(WAND) – Abortion policy remains one of the most divisive issues in the country. Here in Illinois, abortion is legal, and advocates say the state is one of the few places people from surrounding states can go to receive care.

“We have seen a significant increase in people coming from out of state. When people do get here, they are often sicker and require more invasive or more expensive care than what would have been necessary if they were able to get that care in their own home,” American Civil Liberties Union representative Allison Siebeneck said.

The Illinois Reproductive Act of 2019 says people have the fundamental right to reproductive health — including birth control and abortion.

After Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, patients had to find other avenues to care.

“35,000 people came from out of state to access abortion care in Illinois. That represents 39% of all of the abortions that were provided by Illinois providers,” Siebeneck said.

The American Civil Liberties Union found that 1 in 4 people nationwide traveled to Illinois for abortion care. Although care is available here, Siebeneck said it is not always easy to get.

“If you’re going to travel out of state for a medical appointment, you need to arrange childcare. You need to arrange time off from work. Perhaps you have an hourly job. It’s not like you can just take vacation time,” Siebeneck said.

Even in a state where abortion is legal, there are other barriers that could interfere with access.

“There are many communities that are what we refer to as healthcare deserts, where it is difficult to get any kind of health care. There’s a dearth of providers that folks are able to get to within a reasonable geographic distance,” Siebeneck said.

There are multiple organizations who provide some financial support and resources for those traveling out of state for healthcare.

You can visit Chicago Abortion Fund for more information on those resources for people outside the state.