Pritzker approves physician-assisted suicide law for terminally ill patients despite Catholic opposition

Illinois Gov.JB Pritzker on Friday signed legislation that will allow eligible terminally ill adult patients to obtain life-ending medication in consultation with their doctors, making Illinois the latest state to authorize physician-assisted suicide for people with a prognosis of six months or less.The law, known as the Medical Aid in Dying bill or “Deb’s Law,” will take effect in September 2026 to allow participating healthcare providers and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) time to implement stringent processes and protections.Deb Robertson, a lifelong Illinois resident with a rare terminal illness who the bill was named after, said in a statement she “know[s] the end for me could be near.

But I’m pleased to have been able to play some role in ensuring that terminally ill Illinoisans have access to medical aid in dying.”Pritzker, a Democrat, wrote in a news release the legislation will help terminal patients “avoid unnecessary pain and suffering at the end of their lives,” and will be “thoughtfully implemented so that physicians can consult patients on making deeply personal decisions with authority, autonomy and empathy.”The ACLU of Illinois applauded the new measure, saying terminally ill patients living in Illinois will “no longer have to agonize about spending their remaining days fearful of a painful death.”While Pritzker’s office included a quote from Chicago Episcopalian minister Rev.Judith Doran supporting the law, other groups, including the Catholic Conference of Illinois, released statements opposing any legislation that would legalize assisted suicide.“Proponents argue that this legislation will end suffering at the end-of-life,” the Catholic Bishops of Illinois wrote in a September statement.

“Assisted suicide is not the compassionate solution for those who are suffering.Through palliative care, expanded access to mental health care, and stronger family and community support, providers and familie...