With the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling this morning overturning Roe v. Wade, Wisconsin’s so-called “trigger law” immediately banned abortions in the state. It’s based on an 1849 law, which will surely be challenged, but in the meantime, pro-choice experts are recommending women travel to Illinois or Minnesota, where abortion remains legal.
Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement that Department of Justice officials are reviewing the Supreme Court decision "and will be providing further information about how we intend to move forward next week.”
For now, Wisconsin women have a few choices, as Planned Parenthood has ceased providing abortions.
In a statement, Tanya Atkinson, president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of WI, said: “The Supreme Court has taken away our constitutional right to abortion. This ruling takes away the freedom to control our bodies and personal health care decisions, giving it to politicians to decide. Because Wisconsin’s criminal abortion law remains in place, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has temporarily suspended abortion services until we receive clarification from a court about whether the law is enforceable. Know that we are exploring all legal options.”
Here are some options from Planned Parenthood about how to find an out-of-state clinic that can offer this service:
Contact Planned Parenthood
They will work with patients to find a clinic and will help connect them with options financial assistance if necessary. If you can’t make an appointment, they recommend emailing ABNavigator@ppwi.org or calling (414) 289-3002.
Abortion pills
Those are also illegal in Wisconsin, and patients will have to travel to receive them, but there might be options via telehealth. More info can be found at justthepill.com.
The closest Illinois clinic
The Planned Parenthood in Waukegan, Ill. is the closest public clinic to Milwaukee, located at 1601 N. Lewis. Their phone number is (847) 672-2237.
What else can you do?
The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee Counties suggests these three steps:
- Ask your state legislators to support the strong majority of Wisconsinites who want the 1849 Wisconsin abortion law repealed.
- Contact your U.S. lawmakers to demand that sex-based equity be enshrined in the Constitution through the Equal Rights Amendment.
- Support reproductive health organizations and supporters of abortion rights.
Peaceful protests
They’re being planned, and we will update this article when more information becomes available.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
