Fact Check: Illinois is one of 22 states and the District of Columbia that have shield laws protecting abortion patients and providers from criminal or civil action from states that restrict the procedure.

Published June 13, 2025

•by TruthOrFake AI

✓

VERDICT

True

# Fact Check: "Illinois is one of 22 states and the District of Columbia that have shield laws protecting abortion patients and providers from crimina...

Fact Check: "Illinois is one of 22 states and the District of Columbia that have shield laws protecting abortion patients and providers from criminal or civil action from states that restrict the procedure."

What We Know

Illinois has enacted a shield law that protects both abortion patients and providers from legal repercussions originating from states that impose restrictions on abortion. This law, officially known as the Patient and Provider Protection Act, was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker on January 13, 2023. It specifically shields individuals from civil and criminal discovery from other states, as well as extraditions related to providing reproductive health care that is legal in Illinois (Gov. Pritzker Signs Sweeping Reproductive Rights ...).

Furthermore, Illinois is indeed one of the 22 states and Washington, D.C., that have implemented such shield laws. These laws are designed to protect patients, healthcare providers, and individuals assisting in the provision of reproductive health care from the legal reach of states that have enacted bans or restrictions on abortion (Shield Laws for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care: A State ...).

Analysis

The claim that Illinois is one of 22 states with shield laws is supported by multiple credible sources. The Illinois shield law explicitly prohibits any legal action against individuals for providing or receiving abortion services that are lawful in Illinois, regardless of the laws in other states (PDF Illinois Shield Law Fact Sheet). This is a significant legal protection, especially in the current climate following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which has led to many states enacting restrictive abortion laws.

The reliability of the sources used to substantiate this claim is high. The information from the Illinois government press release provides direct insight into the law's provisions and intent, emphasizing the protection of reproductive rights (Gov. Pritzker Signs Sweeping Reproductive Rights ...). Additionally, the UCLA Law Center's guide on shield laws offers a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape post-Roe, confirming that Illinois is among the states with such protections (Shield Laws for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care: A State ...).

While there may be varying degrees of protection offered by different states, the core assertion that Illinois has a shield law protecting abortion patients and providers is unequivocally supported by the evidence.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Illinois is one of 22 states and the District of Columbia that have shield laws protecting abortion patients and providers from criminal or civil action from states that restrict the procedure" is accurate. The evidence clearly shows that Illinois has enacted a shield law that provides these protections, aligning with the broader trend among states responding to restrictive abortion laws.

Sources

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Fact Check: Illinois is one of 22 states and the District of Columbia that have shield laws protecting abortion patients and providers from criminal or civil action from states that restrict the procedure.

Fact Check: "Illinois is one of 22 states and the District of Columbia that have shield laws protecting abortion patients and providers from criminal or civil action from states that restrict the procedure."

What We Know

Analysis

Conclusion

Sources

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