Democratic Illinois lawmakers propose ways to protect — or expand — IVF

Illinois Democratic lawmakers are pushing multiple bills this year to further protect and expand access to in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments.

The proposals come as the Alabama Supreme Court, and conservative lawmakers in other states, push the definition of “person” to include a fertilized egg — potentially creating new, sweeping implications for fertility treatments in those states.

“I think it’s very scary right now,” said Eve Feinberg, an infertility specialist at Northwestern’s Reproductive Medicine Center.

Feinberg also serves as president of the Chicago Coalition for Family Building, a nonprofit providing financial assistance and education to those seeking fertility treatments.

She said the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade left the door wide open for a new frontier in the legal battle over reproductive rights.