Prairie State Wire

Jeanne Ives, founder of Breakthrough Ideas, expressed concerns over Illinois laws that expand access to abortion pills at public universities and override potential federal restrictions. "Illinois laws expanding access to abortion pills at public universities and overriding potential federal restrictions are dangerous and misguided," she said on X.

"Pritzker signed a bill mandating IL public univ. give out the abortion pill," said Ives. "He signed another bill saying that if the abortion pill is banned by the FDA, studies show 11% of chem abortions end in harmful complications, that in IL it can still be prescribed. Insanity."

According to the Illinois Governor’s office, a law enacted on August 22, 2025, requires public universities in Illinois to provide access to abortion pills through campus health centers or referrals. The law also mandates contraception access and legal protections for providers. Supporters argue that the measure reinforces Illinois’ Reproductive Health Act, while critics caution it may conflict with federal rulings and restrictions in other states.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported a significant increase in abortions in the state, with 72,143 procedures recorded in 2023 compared to 56,457 in 2022. This rise followed the Dobbs decision. State data now include totals by method and residence but no longer publish detailed complication figures after a reporting revision in 2023, limiting public tracking of adverse events.

State laws regulating abortion pills vary widely across the United States. According to KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), twelve states have banned abortion outright, while four more enforce six-week limits that effectively curb medication abortion and telehealth access. In contrast, Illinois and other "shield law" states protect cross-border prescribing. The Guttmacher Institute adds that pharmacy and dispensing rules continue to shape access nationwide.

Ives is a former Republican Illinois state representative for the 42nd District, a West Point graduate, and was a GOP gubernatorial candidate in 2018. After leaving office, she founded Breakthrough Ideas, a policy advocacy group focused on fiscal reform, pensions, and government accountability.