Until they Took our Rights Away
Janet Kuypers
6/30/25
Now that this native Chicagoan has been living in Texas,
Watching the first-hand repression of women’s rights
After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, I feel comfort
Finding Fox32 Chicago news, and at commercial breaks
Texans see a medley of drone images of the Chicago
Skyline... I’m even pathetic enough to start to name the
Buildings, feeling more at ease seeing my skyline again.
But once when I was watching Fox32 news, a reporter
Explained that Illinois has become the “travel capital”
For people seeking an abortion. So... I tried to not think
Of the women I’ve helped in need from destructive rela-
tionships, because it just occurred to me: my state is now
Floating in a sea of repression against women. Women
In Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, now found a sort of salvation
In Illinois. In 2024, nearly 25% of all out-of-state abortions
took place in Illinois, while the total number of Illinois
Abortions actually decreased*— and no, these numbers
Aren’t just for abused women, but also for women whose
Unborn offspring were in medical peril,** for when states
Make no exception for the non-viability of a fetus,*** women
Resort to traveling to Illinois to at least save their own life.
Living in Texas and knowing Governor Abbott won’t see the
Protest stickers that say “Abort Abbott”, I’m comforted that
Where I came from is fighting back, to proactively fight to
Retain our rights — even if Project 2025**** calls for revoking
FDA-approved abortion medication drugs.***** For in times
like these, doing something, anything, proactivelyhas to be
Something. Because, look where we are after doing nothing—
They tried to drag women back to the dark ages.
* https://news.wttw.com/2025/04/17/nearly-25-all-out-state-abortions-took-place-illinois-last-year-study
** https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2024/10/21/in-her-words-traveling-to-illinois-for-abortion-care/
*** https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article297484283.html
**** https://www.aclu.org/project-2025-explained
***** https://news.wttw.com/2025/04/08/illinois-house-approves-new-protection-abortion-providers-response-trump-administration
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