Preventable pregnancy-related deaths are on the rise in Illinois, and stark racial disparities persist, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s most recent maternal mortality report.
The report analyzed 219 deaths in 2021 and 2022 that occurred during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth. Of these, 94 were determined to be directly related to pregnancy—an increase from prior years. Alarmingly, the committees reviewing the cases found that 91% of these deaths could have been prevented.
“Each maternal death represents far more than a statistic: it is a profound and often preventable loss that leaves lasting emotional, social, and economic scars on families, communities, and society,” the report stated. “Beyond the immediate tragedy, each loss signals a broader failure to provide equitable, comprehensive, and culturally competent maternal care.”
Substance use disorder remained the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, accounting for nearly one-third of cases. Blood clots and COVID-19 were also significant contributors, responsible for 12% and 11% of deaths, respectively. Deaths from hemorrhage, or severe postpartum bleeding, doubled compared to the previous period.
The data revealed that Black Illinoisians continue to face the highest rates of maternal mortality, with 78 deaths per 100,000 live births. Discrimination was identified as a contributing factor in 74% of pregnancy-related deaths among Black mothers. Black women were more than twice as likely as white women to die from any pregnancy-related cause, and more than three times as likely to die from medical pregnancy-related conditions.
Other contributing factors for Black maternal deaths included obesity, mental health conditions, and substance use disorder. For white and Hispanic women, mental health conditions were the most common contributing factor, with discrimination present in nearly a third of Hispanic deaths. Substance use disorder was found in one-third of white pregnancy-related deaths, but only 9% of Hispanic deaths.
The report emphasized that all deaths due to mental health conditions and substance use disorder were potentially preventable, with 20% considered to have had a “good chance” of prevention with reasonable changes at any level of care or support.
Socioeconomic disparities were also evident. Those with a high school education or less were more than twice as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than those with higher education. Medicaid recipients died from pregnancy-related conditions nearly four times as often as those with private insurance.
Geographically, maternal mortality rates were highest in urban counties outside of Chicago and in Chicago itself, with the city’s rates continuing to climb. Surrounding counties such as DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will had the lowest rates. While rural counties saw a slight decrease, access to specialized care remains a challenge for rural residents.
Most pregnancy-related deaths occurred after childbirth, with 43% happening within the first month postpartum and another third occurring two or more months later. Deaths due to substance use disorder and mental health conditions were especially likely to happen after birth.
To address these disparities, the Illinois Blueprint for Birth Equity was released in September 2025, outlining four key recommendations: expanding access to quality and specialized care, incentivizing providers to work in underserved areas, employing social workers or case managers in hospitals, and better coordination with community-based midwives and doulas.
As a result, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services introduced new Medicaid coverage for home visiting services, including health education, blood pressure monitoring, behavioral health screenings, and more. The program, launched on November 21, 2025, aims to bridge gaps in timely, quality care—especially for families with limited transportation or other barriers.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who helped spearhead the initiative, wrote: “Every woman deserves to bring life into this world safely and with dignity, and every family deserves to bring their child home with the resources they need to grow. Whether you’re in the heart of Chicago’s loop or on a farm in Tuscola, Ill., no family should welcome a new soul with grief for the one who carried it.”
The report and new initiatives underscore the urgent need to address preventable maternal deaths and ensure equitable, comprehensive care for all Illinois mothers.