Parental Notification in Illinois
By Benita Ulisano – Illinois Choice Action Team
The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act, which requires a young woman
seeking an abortion in Illinois to notify an adult family member of her decision. This law will go into effect on August 15,
2013. The Illinois Choice Action Team and our partners from the Reproductive Health and Access Coalition are doing all
we can to educate as many people as possible about this new law.
Here are the facts about the Law and important information that will help you better understand the Parental
Notification of Abortion Act and how it will affect access to abortion care. These facts were compiled by the ACLU of
Illinois.
Under Illinois Law, if a woman decides to have an abortion and she is under 18, her doctor must notify an “adult family
member” before she can have the abortion.
An “adult family member” is someone who is a parent, grandparent, step-parent who lives with the woman, or the
woman's legal guardian. With the woman's permission, the doctor can tell whichever adult family member the woman
chooses.
NOTIFICATION IS NOT CONSENT! Notification just means that a doctor informs the adult family member that the
woman will have an abortion. The adult family member does not have to give permission to get the abortion and does
not have the right to tell the woman that she cannot get the abortion.
You do not have to notify an adult family member if:
· An adult family member goes to the doctor with a woman or gives up their right to notice in writing.
· The doctor decides that there is a medical emergency.
· A woman gives her medical provider a written statement that says she is a victim of sexual abuse, neglect or
physical abuse or abuse by an adult family member.
· The woman is married, divorced, widowed, or emancipated.
· A woman gets an order from the court that says that she doesn’t have to give notice of successful “judicial
bypass” hearing.
A “judicial bypass” is when a judge gives an order that allows a young woman to have an abortion without notifying an
adult family member. The judicial bypass hearing is free, fast and confidential. Women also have a right to a free lawyer.
Our friends at the ACLU of Illinois Judicial Bypass Coordination Project have FREE lawyers who are specially trained to
help young women who need a judicial bypass. You can call, text, or email for information on the parental notice law
and the judicial bypass process or for a FREE lawyer. Make sure to visit their website for more information at
http://ilbypasscoordinationproject.org/
Thank you for all you do for choice!