CHICAGO – Today, Aug. 22, the Cook County Health Board of Directors approved a $2 million grant to the Chicago Abortion Fund to support clinical and wrap-around services for those seeking reproductive health care in Cook County.

Earlier this month, Cook County Health (CCH) joined Cook County leaders to announce the grant, which will provide essential funding for services to address barriers to care, including transportation, lodging, and childcare.

The grant comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which has led to a surge in patients from states with restrictive abortion laws seeking care in Illinois.

This funding reinforces the County’s commitment to ensuring all individuals have access to safe and high-quality services.

“This $2 million grant is a powerful statement of our commitment to protecting and expanding access to essential health care services,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “In Cook County, we believe that every individual has the right to make their own decisions about their body and their future. This funding will help ensure that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from accessing the reproductive care they need and deserve.”

The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) was selected as the grant recipient through a competitive bid process. The organization has a proven track record of providing financial and wrap-around travel support to individuals seeking abortion care in Illinois and the greater Midwest. Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, CAF has distributed over $16 million to directly break down barriers to abortion care, and fielded over 40,000 calls on their helpline. The $2 million grant will enhance these services, ensuring that cost, travel and other logistical challenges do not stand in the way of a person’s ability to make their own health care decisions.

“Before abortion was legal, Cook County Hospital had an entire 40-bed wing dedicated to treating women suffering from sepsis after unsafe, unregulated abortions,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO of Cook County Health. “This grant is a critical step in honoring our history and our enduring commitment to reproductive freedom. By supporting community partners like the Chicago Abortion Fund, we can remove the barriers that too often prevent people from getting the care they need.”

“Today’s historic investment will enable us to continue breaking down barriers to care for people near and far relying on Cook County for the abortions they want, need, and deserve,” said Megan Jeyifo, Executive Director of the Chicago Abortion Fund. “In the midst of a national health care crisis, this funding from Cook County Health ensures that thousands of people will not have to sacrifice their stability or dignity to access care – and sends an important message that abortion is health care. We are deeply grateful to President Preckwinkle, Commissioners Degnen and Miller, and leaders on the Cook County and Cook County Health Boards for their longstanding commitment to reproductive health.”

The grant funding is a result of a budget amendment approved by the Cook County Board of Commissioners last year. It underscores the County’s dedication to making Cook County a leader in reproductive health care access and equity.