CARBONDALE – Even though it’s been open for a couple of weeks now, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held Monday to officially open Planned Parenthood of Illinois’ (PPIL) new state-of-the-art health center located at 200 N. Emerald Lane in Carbondale.

According to a press release, the 11,200 square foot facility greatly expands access to reproductive health care services such as abortion and gender-affirming care for both Illinois residents and out-of-state patients.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Illinois has seen the highest increase in patients traveling from other states. PPIL has experienced a 54% increase in overall abortion care patients and has seen an unprecedented number of out-of-state patients traveling from 38 different states making up nearly a quarter of the abortion patients.

The Carbondale Health Center boasts five education rooms, four procedure rooms, three exam/ ultrasound rooms, a kids’ playroom, as well as a conference room and administrative space. The health center offers comprehensive reproductive health care services such as cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing and treatment, gender-affirming health care, HIV testing and treatment medication, and abortion.

The Carbondale health center was made possible by PPIL’s RESOLVE Campaign, a $40 million fundraising effort to expand and improve access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care for those in Illinois and those forced to travel for care.