Chicago clinic opens to provide controversial third-trimester abortions

In June 2025, Hope Clinic, an abortion provider, opened a second location in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. This new clinic is notable for offering third-trimester abortion services, allowing procedures up to 34 weeks into pregnancy. The establishment of this clinic positions it as the only standalone facility in the Midwest providing these services, which are considered controversial and are among only a few clinics nationwide that perform late-term abortions. Hope Clinic emphasized that it aims to provide comprehensive access to abortion care, claiming that everyone deserves the right to access care on their terms, regardless of the timing of their decision. The facility promotes its intention to adhere to state laws, which allow abortions up to 24 weeks for any reason, and later in pregnancy if the mother’s health is at risk. Hope Clinic reported that many women seeking third-trimester abortions may only discover their pregnancy later, face barriers accessing earlier care, or simply do not wish to continue with the pregnancy. Addressing these concerns, Dr. Erin King, the chief medical officer at Hope Clinic, indicated the clinic's commitment to making careful determinations while operating within legal bounds. Public reaction to the clinic's new services has been mixed. A 2023 Gallup poll reports that a significant majority of Americans oppose abortions in the second (55%) and third (70%) trimesters. Pro-life advocates criticize third-trimester abortions as brutal and unnecessary, arguing that babies at this stage are fully formed. Anne O'Connor, a representative from the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, lamented that the U.S. is one of the few countries without restrictions on late-term abortions, equating the practice to a form of brutality. The clinic has faced scrutiny, but it contends that expanding access to late-term procedures is essential, particularly as abortion bans in other states lead to delays in care and increased travel distance for patients. The debate surrounding late-term abortion has become increasingly polarized, reflecting broader societal divisions over reproductive rights and access to health care. Hope Clinic's opening illustrates the ongoing conflict between differing societal values surrounding abortion, health care rights, and the legal landscape in which such health services operate.