The Sconi

Doctors in Wisconsin could be hit with felonies carrying sentences of up to six years behind bars and a $10,000 fine if a ban on abortions becomes the law of the land, as outlined in a recently leaked Supreme Court memo that would overturn Roe v. Wade.

The law in Wisconsin outlawing doctors from performing such procedures except in instances when the mother’s life is at risk dates back to 1849, a recent WISN.com news report said. The law provides no exceptions for rape or incest.

"Bottom line is abortion almost immediately becomes criminalized in Wisconsin," Marquette University Law School professor Chad Oldfather said, noting also that for years democratic lawmakers across the state have sought to repeal the law.

"There is a reality that has to sink in for Wisconsinites that abortion could be illegal in our state," State Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) said. "If we can't change the minds of the majority in the Legislature, it's time to start changing who occupies those seats."

With Republicans long in control of the state legislature, they now stand to decide whether to support changes to the 19th-century law.

"I think it's a conversation that's going to start all over again," State Rep. Donna Rozar (R-Marshfield) added. "Some Republicans will be open to a discussion about what exceptions might be put in place."

With some already predicting that such changes could move females across the state to travel to other states to have the procedure performed, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is already offering up his state as a safe haven.

"Abortion is safe and legal in Illinois," he said in a news conference, quoted by WISN.

Illinois health officials said in 2020 nearly 10,000 women traveled there from other states to have an abortion.