Official statistics say that abortions in the state of Illinois fell to under 42,000 in 2010, the lowest since 1973.

Illinois state statistics say that 41,859 abortions were performed in the state last year. The figures represent a nine percent decrease from 46,077 in 2009. The previous low of 42,228 came in 2003.

Abortions fell for residents of most counties and for all age groups. Abortions performed on women from other states fell by 16 percent.

The number of deadly procedures fell in counties near a major abortion facility which opened in 2007 in Aurora, Ill., though the numbers were still higher by ten percent compared to 2007.

"These statistics are good news," said William Beckman, executive director of the Illinois Right to Life Committee.

However, he voiced concern about "reporting gaps" in Illinois abortion records. A June report in the Chicago Tribune showed that in 2008 Illinois state statistics recorded 47,717 abortions but the Guttmacher Institute, which researches abortion, showed 54,920.

"How many abortions were not reported to the state for 2010? We hope under-reporting has not been increasing!" Beckman said.