On December 12, 2025, a day many years in the making, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act (SB 1950) into law, making Illinois the first state in the Midwest to authorize medical aid in dying.

As in other authorized jurisdictions, the legislation gives mentally capable adults with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less the option to request a prescription from their medical provider that they can choose to self-ingest and end life on their own terms. The new law will take effect in September 2026, giving the Department of Health and healthcare providers time to launch and integrate the practice by Governor Pritzker's deadline, with support from Compassion & Choices.

Behind the victory is a collaborative effort between advocates, volunteers, faith and community leaders, legislative champions, the medical community, and the Illinois End-of-Life Options Coalition, made up of Compassion & Choices Action Network, ACLU of Illinois, and Final Options Illinois. 

"I have been deeply impacted by the stories of Illinoisans or their loved ones that have suffered from a devastating terminal illness, and I have been moved by their dedication to standing up for freedom and choice at the end of life in the midst of personal heartbreak," said Governor Pritzker in a press release shared by his office following the signing. 

"Today, Illinois honors their strength and courage by enacting legislation that enables patients faced with debilitating terminal illnesses to make a decision, in consultation with a doctor, that helps them avoid unnecessary pain and suffering at the end of their lives. This legislation will be thoughtfully implemented so that physicians can consult patients on making deeply personal decisions with authority, autonomy, and empathy."

Media coverage ramped up quickly after news of the signing was released, in both statewide and national print, digital, TV and radio outlets, reaching a collective audience of millions. The Illinois team worked quickly, connecting staff and advocates with reporters, resulting in numerous mentions of Compassion & Choices/Compassion & Choices Action Network, key staff, and volunteers we work with. 

For advocates who have worked tirelessly to make medical aid in dying a reality in Illinois, it was an emotional moment. Deb Robertson, a former social worker in Lombard, Illinois, who is living with rare and aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma, has been advocating in support of medical aid in dying with Compassion & Choices since 2022. 

Robertson serves as an LGBTQ+ Leadership Council member for Compassion & Choices and was named the Allyne Hammer Excellence in Advocacy Award recipient in 2024. 

Her humor, wit, and raw honesty about the end of life quickly catapulted her to the forefront of Illinois’ medical aid-in-dying movement, and she became a powerful, recognizable voice in the media. When the End-of-Life Options Act moved to the Senate floor in 2025, it was named “Deb’s Law” in her honor.

Governor Pritzker’s press release notably included a short biography of Robertson and quoted her as saying, “Today, I know 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.”

“Deb Robertson’s brave and tireless advocacy has made a permanent impact in Illinois, and on all who have had the honor of working alongside her. It cannot be overstated how deserving Deb is of this incredible moment,” said Callie Riley, regional advocacy director for Compassion & Choices Action Network. “We also remember and deeply thank advocates past and present who dedicated immense time and energy to this effort. Each and every person contributed to this win, and we could not have done it without any one of them.”

Those familiar with the end-of-life options movement in recent years will likely also remember two mothers who turned grief into action: Nilsa Centeno in memory of her son Miguel Carrasquillo, a chef at Petterino’s in Chicago, and former Naperville resident Suzy Flack in memory of her son Andrew Flack, a special education teacher.

Both sons died in their thirties with cancer but had contrasting end-of-life experiences, with Carrasquillo experiencing a painful death without the option of medical aid in dying that he wanted, and Flack planning a gentle death using medical aid in dying in California, where it is authorized. Both stories illustrate the importance of having access to a death aligned with your own values, beliefs, and priorities. 

Suzy Flack noted the significance of having the option of medical aid in dying in Illinois in Governor Pritzker’s press release: “My son, Andrew, died peacefully utilizing the option of medical aid in dying in California, where he lived. Most of our family members were able to travel to be with him, but his grandmother couldn’t travel to California because of her age. She never got to see Drew for a final goodbye. No other family in Illinois will experience that hardship.”

2025 marked a momentous year for the expansion of end-of-life care options. In addition to Illinois’ new law, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed the Ron Silverio/Heather Block End-of-Life Options Act into law in May 2025, and the New York legislature passed its Medical Aid in Dying Act for the first time in June 2025 (at the time of publishing, Governor Kathy Hochul has stated her intention to sign the bill following passage of agreed-upon amendments by February 2026). The milestone year of legislative successes signals a theme in how people are thinking about death, dying, and personal choice across the nation.

With the signing of Deb’s Law, Illinoisans facing terminal illness will have another end-of-life care option available, increasing the likelihood of a “good death,” whatever that looks like to them. 

For Deb Robertson, as she shared in a 2022 video for Compassion & Choices, the relief of knowing she could have the option of medical aid in dying will allow her to live life to the fullest. 

“If I didn’t have to worry about how I'm going to die, I could focus on the days I have left.” 

Delaware

With the public support of Governor Matt Meyer, advocates were elated to see the Ron Silverio/Heather Block End-of-Life Options Act become law in 2025.  A lawsuit filed December 8 in Delaware by groups opposed to any form of medical aid-in-dying access sought to keep the law from taking effect on January 1 as planned. On December 30, after reviewing briefings submitted by the state of Delaware and Compassion Legal, the court dismissed the lawsuit entirely. The Delaware district court judge agreed that the lawsuit had no merit and that the Delaware law is a completely voluntary, patient-directed end-of-life healthcare option — though the opposing parties have already begun the appeal process.

For the latest information on Delaware, please visit CandC.org/in-your-state/delaware. 

Florida

Across Florida, we continue strengthening our foundation to ensure more people can make informed, values-driven decisions about their end-of-life care. Over the past year, we have amplified our presence statewide by engaging communities through a wide array of events, delivering impactful presentations at continuing care retirement communities, participating in state and national conferences, and growing our supporter base. These conversations have led to new partnerships, including the Florida Life Care Residents Association and powerful storytelling opportunities that deepen trust and resonate across Florida’s diverse community.

Looking ahead, we are entering a new phase of work to position Florida for authorization of medical aid in dying. Our multi-year strategy focuses on working with existing local groups and coalitions, growing Action Teams in major metro areas, strengthening relationships with medical and aging-services partners, and launching statewide digital and storytelling initiatives that speak to Florida’s unique cultural values. We will also begin early bipartisan outreach and create tailored messaging to ensure that the movement reflects the full spectrum of Floridians who believe in personal choice at end of life.

With growing momentum, expanding partnerships, and renewed statewide engagement, Florida is becoming a powerful gateway for end-of-life care options and a key state in our long-term national strategy.

Massachusetts

The momentum for medical aid in dying continues to build in Massachusetts. Following our earliest ever hearing in April, the House bill moved from the Joint Committee on Public Health to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing in July. Now, the Senate bill has taken two quick actions. In October, the bill moved favorably from the Joint Committee on Public Health to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. A month later, it moved from Health Care Financing to Senate Ways and Means. This is the farthest and fastest the bill has ever moved.

Advocates are now urging Senate Ways and Means to move the bill to the Senate floor quickly for a vote in 2026 and held a week of action in January to underscore the urgency of moving the bill forward. 

We're incredibly thankful for Massachusetts advocates and volunteers who continue to reach out to their lawmakers in support of end-of-life options, and we look forward to carrying the momentum into the new year.

New York

New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act (A136/S138), sponsored by Assemblymember Amy Paulin and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, was passed by the Assembly in a historic 81-67 vote on April 29 and passed the Senate 35-27 on June 9. On December 17, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she will sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act following passage of agreed-upon amendments in early 2026. First introduced in 2016, this measure has garnered support among a growing chorus of lawmakers, voters, and civic organizations led by Compassion & Choices, representing the Empire State’s broad diversity. New Yorkers overwhelmingly support medical aid in dying, with 72% in favor.

For the latest information on New York, please visit CandC.org/in-your-state/new-york

Virginia

Medical aid-in-dying legislation in Virginia had historic movement in 2024. It advanced through six Senate committees and subcommittees that year and passed the full Senate before ending just shy of a vote on the House floor in anticipation of a Governor Glenn Youngkin veto. 

Fast forward to November 4 of 2025, and the Virginia elections. The governor, lieutenant governor and all House members were on the ballot. Abigail Spanberger became Virginia's first female governor. She has publicly stated her support for medical aid in dying in the past.

Senator Ghazala Hashmi, our lead Senate bill sponsor since 2020, was elected lieutenant governor. With favorable election results in the House of Delegates as well, Virginia is well-positioned for medical aid in dying to advance in 2026. 

For the past seven years, we have laid the groundwork toward passage. There is a strong network of energetic advocates who have been working tirelessly toward this moment. Our supporters are excited about the potential; Senator Jennifer Boysko and Delegate Patrick Hope — our lead bill sponsors — are excited and optimistic about this session; and with the support of our leadership, Compassion & Choices’ Team Virginia has pulled together an auspicious cross-departmental plan to give us the best chance of passage in 2026. We’ll keep you apprised of the movement in Virginia as the session begins!