With the release of the Illinois abortion statistics for 2010, we learn that abortions have fallen in Illinois to the lowest level since 1973 at 41,859, better than the previous low of 42,228 in 2003.  Even in the counties near the Planned Parenthood abortion fortress in Aurora, IL, abortions fell for 2010 compared to 2009.  However, for residents of the six counties most affected by the Aurora abortion facility (Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will), abortions in 2010 were still higher by 10% overall compared to 2007.

The 2010 Illinois abortion total of 41,859 compares to 46,077 for 2009, which is a 9% decrease.  Abortions fell for residents of most counties and for all age groups.   Fortunately, abortions committed on women from other states also fell by 16%, but with abortions on women of unknown residence falling from 1,146 to 187, abortions on out-of-state women may have fallen much more.

These statistics are good news.  The only concern comes from a June 16, 2011 Chicago Tribune article on "reporting gaps" in Illinois abortion records.   That report revealed that for 2008, Illinois statistics show 47,717 abortions, but Guttmacher shows 54,920 Illinois abortions.  This difference suggests that at least 7,203 abortions were not reported to the state that year.  How many abortions were not reported to the state for 2010?  We hope under-reporting has not been increasing!