CARBONDALE, Ill. (WSIL) --Â The location of Planned Parenthood Illinois' new reproductive health center was not an accident but strategic.
It's state-of-the-art facility features five education rooms, four procedure rooms, three exam and ultrasound rooms and its first ever kids playroom says president and CEO Jennifer Welch.
"There is a critical need for the care that we are honored to provide," Welch said.
The location had been open for about a month but Monday's ribbon cutting made it official as Welch was joined by leaders of other groups and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
Southern Illinois borders Kentucky and Missouri, two states that have enacted restrictions on abortions. Welch says a quarter of all of PPIL's patients come from out-of-state.
"Our agency has experienced a 54% increase in abortion care and we have welcomed patients from 40 different states," Welch said.
In 2019, Illinois passed a law making reproductive care, including abortion, a human right. In 2022 the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade which ended the federal right to an abortion.
"Patients from the throughout the country... in the south are making their way up here," Raoul said. "We're truly an oasis for safe reproductive healthcare."
Carbondale has been a prime example of that. Planned Parenthood's facility is the third reproductive center to open in the city following Choices Center for Reproductive Health and the Alamo Women's Clinic.
Last year the city voted to become a safe haven for reproductive and gender affirming care. Welch says the move is about providing more care and a safer space for women making a life-changing choice.
"There are laws in place that will prevent those protesters from harming and frightening our patients," Welch said.
The center's hours are Tuesday from 10am- 6pm, Wednesday from 9am-4pm, Thursday & Friday from 8am- 4pm and Saturday from 8am- 3pm. The center is closed Sunday & Monday.
