Traveling from Kentucky to Illinois for the Abortion Pill

The drive from Louisville to The Center for Women in Westchester, IL takes about 5 hours via I-65 North to I-57 North to I-294. From Lexington, the drive is about 5.5 hours, and from Bowling Green, expect about 6 hours.

The clinic is located at 10215 W. Roosevelt Rd. #101, Westchester, IL 60154, just west of Chicago. You can reach it from I-290 or I-294, and there is free parking at the building.

Because the drive is long, many Kentucky patients book a morning visit and arrive the evening before. Some patients make the round trip in a single long day, while others would rather stay overnight near the clinic.

No. Illinois has no residency rule for abortion care. You do not need an Illinois ID, an Illinois address, or any proof that you live in the state. Your Kentucky driver's license or any valid photo ID is accepted.

The cost, process, and quality of care are the same for out-of-state patients as for Illinois residents. You get the same doctor visit, ultrasound, medicines, and follow-up care.

Kentucky banned nearly all abortion after the Dobbs decision, and since then many Kentucky residents have traveled to Illinois for care. Illinois clinics see patients from Kentucky and other restricted states all the time.

No. Illinois has no waiting period for abortion, so you can meet with the doctor and take your first pill (mifepristone) at the same visit. There is no rule that makes you come in twice.

That matters when you are driving a long way. You do not need one trip to talk with the doctor and a second trip days later. Everything happens in a single visit that lasts about one hour.

Same-day visits are available, and evening and weekend times give you more room to plan your travel.

No. Illinois has strong shield laws that protect the privacy of out-of-state patients. Your medical records from The Center for Women cannot be shared with Kentucky law enforcement, courts, or government agencies.

Illinois will not cooperate with abortion-related investigations from other states. Kentucky cannot subpoena your records from an Illinois clinic, and Illinois courts will not honor those requests. These shield laws were written to protect patients who travel from states with bans.

Your visit is also protected by federal HIPAA law and Illinois privacy rules. No information about your care goes to Kentucky without your written consent. Even if Kentucky tries to punish patients who travel for care, Illinois law blocks any cooperation with that effort.

Here are practical tips for planning your trip from Kentucky:

• Travel time: The drive is about 5 hours each way from Louisville, so think about arriving the evening before and staying at a hotel near the clinic. Westchester, Hillside, and Oak Brook all have lower-cost options.
• Appointment length: Plan to be at the clinic for about one hour.
• What to bring: A valid photo ID (your Kentucky license is fine), payment of $380 (cash or card), a pad, comfortable clothing, a snack, and water.
• Driving: You can drive yourself, because the pill you take at the clinic (mifepristone) does not make you drowsy or affect your driving. If you are making the round trip in one day, though, consider bringing someone to share the driving.
• Support person: You are welcome to bring someone, but you do not have to.
• Second medicine: You will take misoprostol at home in Kentucky 24 to 48 hours after your visit. Plan to be home that day with a bathroom close by, a heating pad, and ibuprofen.

A follow-up visit is usually scheduled 1 to 2 weeks after your first appointment. It confirms the abortion is complete and is included in the $380 cost.

Because of the 5-hour drive, a return trip may be hard, so talk about this with the doctor at your first visit. In some cases the clinic can set up a phone or video follow-up, or work with a healthcare provider closer to your home in Kentucky.

The follow-up matters because it confirms the abortion is complete and that you are healing normally. Even if you cannot return in person, do not skip this step. Work with the clinic to find an option that fits.

Call The Center for Women at (708) 450-4545 to schedule your appointment. When you call, let the staff know you are traveling from Kentucky so they can help you pick the best time for your travel plans.

Same-day, evening, and weekend appointments are available. The clinic is located at 10215 W. Roosevelt Rd. #101, Westchester, IL 60154. The abortion pill costs $380, which covers your doctor visit, ultrasound, both medicines, and follow-up visit.