Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker just signed off on medical aid-in-dying legislation that lets terminally ill adults request prescription medications to end their lives, but the program does not kick off until September 2026. Patients need confirmation from two doctors that they have less than six months to live, and they have to be mentally capable of making the decision and physically able to take the medication themselves.
The Catholic Conference of Illinois already called the bill dangerous and wants the state to put money into hospice care instead. Disability rights advocates have concerns about the self-administration requirement potentially excluding people who are suffering but cannot physically swallow pills on their own, while supporters say those restrictions prevent coercion and abuse.
Healthcare workers and institutions can refuse to participate without penalty, and the law makes it a felony to forge requests or pressure anyone into using the option. The Supreme Court previously ruled that states can decide this issue on their own since there is no constitutional right to assisted dying.
The Catholic Conference of Illinois already called the bill dangerous and wants the state to put money into hospice care instead. Disability rights advocates have concerns about the self-administration requirement potentially excluding people who are suffering but cannot physically swallow pills on their own, while supporters say those restrictions prevent coercion and abuse.
Healthcare workers and institutions can refuse to participate without penalty, and the law makes it a felony to forge requests or pressure anyone into using the option. The Supreme Court previously ruled that states can decide this issue on their own since there is no constitutional right to assisted dying.
