Peoria Standard

The Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade's declaration of a constitutional right to abortion, has been addressed by Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria. 

The decision led to the immediate outlawing of abortion in several states. Before the ruling, Illinois widened access to abortion and provided financial aid to out-of-state women who wanted to have abortions. 

“Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case,” Tylka said. “This ruling has a significant impact on the issue of abortion, which was legalized in the Roe v. Wade decision some fifty years ago. Today's decision overturns what was previously a federal legalization of abortion and has returned the issue to individual states to decide the matter for themselves. Clearly, there is much more work to be done.” 

The ninth bishop of the Diocese of Peoria wrote of the value human life.

“Life is a gift from God,” Tylka stated. “From the very beginning, the Church has clearly proclaimed the sanctity of human life - from conception until natural death. As Catholics and as Americans, we must continue to be a voice that defends life - in all its stages and from all its threats - so that we can truly build a culture of life in our country and in the world. As the Bishop of Peoria, I call upon all people of goodwill to support the efforts that uphold the dignity of human life, especially those efforts that offer material, emotional, and spiritual support to families and to women with unplanned pregnancies, as well as the efforts to offer ongoing support and care for children.” 

Ultimately, he focused on reminding the Catholic doctrine: life begins at conception and everyone has a right to life. This right should be protected and revered at every stage, he said.

“Today's decision is not the last word in this matter. It is, however, a significant moment in the efforts to work toward a greater respect for life and it is a reason to give thanks to God. May the Holy Spirit instill in all of us an ever-greater respect for the sanctity of every human life, especially the lives of unborn children.” 

Abortion clinics in Illinois increased their capacity in preparation for a rise in the number of abortions. Along the state's border with states controlled by Republicans, Planned Parenthood has added a number of additional abortion facilities. Abortion supporters forecast a five-fold increase in the number of abortions, the Prairie State Wire reported. 

The number of women coming to Illinois for abortions has steadily increased since 2014. The number of abortions conducted on non-residents in Illinois in 2019 was 7,534, up 150% over the previous five years, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, according to Block Club Chicago.  Nonprofit organizations that support out-of-state abortion seekers, such as the Chicago Abortion Fund, are partially responsible for the rise in the number of non-residents seeking abortions in the state. 

Last month, NBC Chicago reported that the City of Chicago donated $500,000 to help women of color and poor women who need abortion care. The financing for several organizations, including the Midwest Access Coalition and the Chicago Abortion Fund, was granted by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “So we've got to be ready, and we've got to step up,” she said prior to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.