May 4, 2022 - Things to Do

Chicago's underground abortion history

Monica Eng

women in bathing suits — "The Janes" documentary is scheduled to air on HBO on June 8. Photo courtesy of Martha Scott and HBO

At a time when abortion was illegal in most of the country, Chicago became the underground epicenter of a movement.

Driving the news: Two films that premiered at Sundance in January — documentary "The Janes" and feature film "Call Jane" — tell the story of the women involved in the abortion-rights collective.

Flashback: From 1969 to 1973, the Janes offered local abortion services to an estimated 11,000 women and trained others to perform them.

Context: "Chicago at that time was the epicenter of so much turmoil and organizing," documentary director Tia Lessin told "Democracy Now" in January.

"And that's where these women came from — the women's movement, the anti-war movement, student movement, the civil rights movement."

What they're saying: Producer Emma Pildes told "Democracy Now" that while making the documentary, "[we were] losing the Supreme Court majority and losing Justice Ginsburg, so we just felt the urgency to make sure that the story gets out."

What's next: "The Janes" will air on HBO in June.

"Call Jane," starring Elizabeth Banks and Sigourney Weaver, is scheduled for theaters in October.

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Chicago's underground abortion history

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