CHICAGO – Beginning on the first of the new year, a law will go into effect prohibiting discrimination based on a person’s reproductive health decisions, including fertility care and abortion.

What You Need To Know

  • On Jan. 1, 2025, a new expansion to the Illinois Human Rights Act will go into effect protecting citizens from discrimination based on their reproductive health decisions

  • Public Act 103-0785 prohibits discrimination on the basis of reproductive health decisions in employment, housing, financial credit, and public accommodations

  • Reproductive health decisions include a multitude of reproductive technologies including in-vitro fertilization, prenatal, intranatal, postnatal care, birth control, sterilization care, miscarriage management care, fertility, and abortion

  • Those with questions are requested to reach out to Illinois Human Rights Act or IDHR’s rule and regulations, call (312) 814-6262 or contact IDHR with their online form

“At a time when reproductive rights are under attack across the nation, Illinois is standing strong,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This law makes it clear: no one should face discrimination for making personal decisions about their reproductive health. Whether it’s fertility care or abortion, your choices are your own, and your rights are protected.”

The new Public Act 103-0785 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of reproductive health decisions in employment, housing, financial credit, and public accommodations. Existing protections under the Illinois Human Rights Act are extended to ensure Illinoisans will be able to engage in reproductive health decision-making without facing discrimination.

“The law is a common-sense measure to ensure that personal decisions about reproductive care do not affect a person’s livelihood,” said Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) Director Jim Bennett. “This law protects Illinoisans and visitors from discrimination or retaliation based on the decisions they need to make concerning whether, when, and how to start a family.”

It’s not just fertility and abortion. Reproductive health decisions include a multitude of reproductive technologies: in-vitro fertilization, prenatal, intranatal, postnatal care, birth control, sterilization care, miscarriage management care, fertility, and abortion. Protections apply across each area of the Act.

Those with questions are requested to reach out to Illinois Human Rights Act or IDHR’s rule and regulations, call (312) 814-6262 or contact IDHR with their online form.

The Illinois Department of Human Rights enforces the Illinois Human Rights Act, a law prohibiting discrimination regarding employment opportunities, housing and real estate transactions, access to financial credit, and public services or public accommodations, including educational institutions. Those who believe they’ve been victimized by discrimination in one of these instances may file a complaint with the department within two years of the incident or within one year of a housing violation. Filing a complaint may be done by calling (877) 236-7703 or 7-1-1 for *TTY users or visit dhr.illinois.gov/filing-a-charge.