Madison-based doctor helps open abortion clinic in Rockford, Illinois
ROCKFORD, Ill. (CBS 58) -- Since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2022, Wisconsin's 1849 ban on abortion has been in effect.
the Planned Parenthood clinic in Waukegan, Illinois has seen an influx of Wisconsin patients since the ruling.
That inspired a Madison-based doctor to open a new clinic in Illinois, accessible to Wisconsinites.
Dr. Dennis Christensen owned the Affiliated Medical Services abortion clinic on Milwaukee's lower east side, which closed permanently in June.
"I've basically dedicated my career to providing this service, and I'm not about to sit around and watch that go down the tubes," said Dr. Christensen in an October interview with CBS 58.
Now, if you call Affiliated Medical Services, the phone line transfers to a new clinic across the border.
Dr. Christensen has been working for months to open an abortion clinic in Rockford, Illinois, with Wisconsin patients in mind.
"He called me in June and said, 'I don't think it's going to go well for Roe versus Wade, so I'm just wondering if you'd be willing to come out of retirement and help me open a clinic,'" said the clinic administrator, Meg Larkin.
Larkin, longtime caregiver who previously worked with Christensen, took on the challenge.
The clinic was ready in October, but opening was stalled as Christensen filed for an Illinois medical license.
He obtained a temporary license in January.
"We just wanted to get started, to get those who need it right away a chance to come utilize our services," Larkin said.
Rockford Family Planning Center officially opened Jan. 6, providing an abortion pill regimen.
These two buildings in Rockford, IL are now owned by Madison-based Dr. Dennis Christensen. The first building is the Rockford Family Planning Center, an abortion pill clinic that opened Friday, with Wisconsin women in mind. We’ll hear from the clinic administrator on @CBS58 at 5 pic.twitter.com/5tTHBaHJAM
— Jenna Wells (@JennaWellsNEWS) January 13, 2023
The second building will be a larger center for surgical and medication abortions, as well as comprehensive sexual healthcare. Rockford Family Planning is hoping to open that clinic by April. @CBS58
— Jenna Wells (@JennaWellsNEWS) January 13, 2023
"We've had a consistent flow of clients since last Friday," Larkin said.
While pills are distributed in-person at the clinic, patients can coordinate checkups in Wisconsin.
To expand services, Christensen is opening a second, larger center in Rockford, for comprehensive sexual healthcare.
"They'll be doing the surgical [abortions] as well as the medical, but they'll be doing more things than just abortions," Larkin said.
Though CBS 58 didn't spot protestors at the clinic, Larkin says there has been expected opposition.
"We have protestors. It goes with the territory," Larkin said. "They do have restrictions and we hold them to it."
Larkin said the community has been mostly supportive, some even donating art to display in the waiting room.
The clinic's promise to patients is to operate as a safe space, where everyone will be met with compassion.
"We're not judging, we're not going to delve into anything personal, we're just going to give you the information you need so you can make an informed decision. That is our bottom line," Larkin said.
Administrators with Rockford Family Planning are hoping to have the second surgical clinic open by April 2023.
"We're just going to give you the information you need so you can make an informed decision. That is our bottom line," said clinic administrator, Meg Larkin. @CBS58 pic.twitter.com/KCpNk8UW5o
— Jenna Wells (@JennaWellsNEWS) January 13, 2023