Illinois charity providing flights for out-of-state abortion seekers

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By Nancy Harty

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Women seeking abortions who live in states where the procedure is now banned may get help from an Illinois charity.

The Springfield, Illinois-based group called Elevated Access is organizing free flights.

After a year of planning, the organization became a registered charity in April. The group recruits volunteer pilots to fly patients to medical procedures, including abortions.

Elevated Access flew its first abortion patient earlier this month: from Oklahoma to Kansas to have a procedure after Oklahoma’s governor signed a so-called trigger law.

The Chicago Tribune reports the executive director — which it did not name over safety concerns — says doing something tangible is just as important as voting and offering financial contributions.

Alison Dreith with Midwest Access Coalition, which is helping coordinate flights for abortion seekers, described it as a potential game-changer for some patients, especially now that Roe v Wade has been overturned.