CHICAGO –Earlier today, Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1950, also known as Deb’s Law, into law. The measure means that Illinois now will join the growing list of states that recognize medical aid in dying as a trusted and time-tested medical practice that is part of the full spectrum of end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care. Specifically, once implemented, the legislation allows a mentally capable, terminally ill adult with a prognosis of six months or less the option to obtain a prescription medication they may decide to take so they can die peacefully and end their suffering. The measure contains a wide range of protections to ensure that people are not coerced or intimidated into utilizing medical-aid-in-dying when it does not reflect their choice.
The following can be attributed to Khadine Bennett, Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs Director at the ACLU of Illinois:
“We are grateful to Governor Pritzker for signing Deb’s Law and adding Illinois to the list of 11 states and the District of Columbia that offer people the ability to access all options at the end of life. While some have described this law as controversial; the reality is that the new law reflects our state’s ethos of compassion. Cutting through so much of hyperbolic rhetoric of the past few months, the bottom line is that Illinois now will permit someone facing a terminal diagnosis to choose the timing of their death and end their suffering.
Over nearly three decades, the ACLU of Illinois has worked with physicians, individuals bravely coping with a terminal illness and advocates to work toward this day. We want to express our deep appreciation for every legislator – current and former – who have engaged in discussion about bringing medical aid in dying to Illinois over all these years. We are especially appreciative to State Representative Robyn Gabel and State Senator Linda Holmes who shepherded Senate Bill 1950 through the General Assembly.
Finally, we are again inspired today by the people we have met along the way in this journey – like Suzy Flack who shared the story of her son Andrew and Nilsa Centeno who shared the loss of her son Miguel. Both Suzy and Nilsa honored their sons’ final wishes by engaging their energy to advocate for this law. And, of course, we thank Deb Robertson who while facing her own cancer journey has given freely of her time – and her name – to move this proposal forward. We are heartened that this measure will carry her name moving forward so that future residents of the Land of Lincoln may understand her determination and concern for others. That courage and fortitude shows us all that we can make a difference in public policy if we desire.