Illinois Legalizes Physician-Assisted Suicide

Photo: Governor JB Pritzker/Facebook

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed legislation making Illinois the 12th state to legalize physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. The measure, Senate Bill 1950, is formally titled the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act and is also known as “Deb’s Law.”

The bill, which passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly, was sent to the governor’s desk on Nov. 25. Under the new law, mentally capable adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months or less to live may request a prescription for medication intended to end their life.

Supporters of the legislation testified during committee hearings earlier this year, sharing personal experiences involving loved ones who sought similar end-of-life options in states where the practice is already legal.

Illinois joins California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington in permitting physician-assisted suicide under defined legal guidelines.

Previously, UOJ reported that Canadian doctors are proposing euthanasia for disabled newborns. 

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