Medical aid in dying was authorized in Illinois on December 12th, 2025, when Gov. Pritzker signed SB 1950, the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act. Also known as “Deb’s Law” for Compassion & Choices storyteller Deb Robertson, the law goes into effect in September 2026.
We know that many Illinoisans and clinicians have questions about the law, and the practice of medical aid in dying. On the right-hand side of this page, you will find resources for patients (and their loved ones) as well as clinicians, including in-depth guides to the law. If you have any additional questions, please contact our Senior Illinois Campaign Organizer at [email protected].
The law was originally introduced during the 2025 legislative session by our lead sponsors, House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes. The legislation is summarized here.
In a 2023 poll, 71% of likely Illinois voters supported this compassionate legislation, and the majority of Illinois physicians also support this option.
Survey of Illinois Physicians’ Attitudes Toward Medical Aid in Dying as an End-of-Life Option
Illinois Legislative Campaign Overview
The Compassion & Choices Action Network Illinois team and the ACLU of Illinois partner in the Illinois End-of-Life Options Coalition. If you would like to get involved, please sign up here.
In 2026, lawmakers introduced several bills to restrict access to, amend, or repeal the Illinois End-of-Life Options Act. As of spring, none of these bills have moved forward. We will continue to monitor all threats to the law and take action to ensure that medical aid in dying remains an end-of-life care option in Illinois.
Our work doesn’t stop here. Will you make a donation to support our continued efforts to bring vital access resources and education efforts across the state?
Compassion & Choices is proud to announce that Deb Robertson of Lombard, Illinois is the 2024 Allyne Hammer Excellence in Advocacy Award recipient. The award was created after the death of Compassion & Choices’ supporter Allyne Hammer last year to honor volunteers who work within their communities and exemplify the values of the end-of-life care…
A bill introduced in the Illinois Senate two weeks ago that would allow medical aid in dying for those suffering from terminal illnesses is supported by the principal officer of the Illinois chapter of the AFL-CIO on Tuesday. The legislation—SB3499, the End of Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, initially sponsored by Senate Assistant…
Una medida presentada hace dos semanas ante el Senado de Illinois que permitiría la ayuda médica para morir para las personas con enfermedades terminales, fue apoyada el martes por los principales funcionarios del Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) y el AFL-CIO de la sede de Chicago. El End of Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act…
Terminally Ill Illinoisans, Advocacy Groups Praise Bill to Allow Terminally Ill to Avoid Needless End-of-Life Suffering Terminally ill Illinoisans and advocacy groups praised lawmakers on Friday for introducing compassionate legislation that would allow mentally capable, terminally ill adults to have the option to get prescription medication to peacefully end unbearable suffering. Illinois residents who support the End…
This piece was originally published by The Illinois Times on May 10, 2018. My grandmother, whom we called “Nana,” always loved children. Many times, she asked me to give her great-grandchildren. In 2000, the moment finally arrived. But it didn’t seem to matter. Eagerly, tenderly, I lay my newborn son in her arms. She sat motionless, her…
An excerpt from the Forest Park Review article by Tom Holmes, published September 19, 2023: When Jimmy Carter entered hospice care, it made the national news. And it made people across the nation and here at home start thinking about what to do when it’s their time to go, too. Just talking about such decisions is hard. Forest Park has…
An excerpt from the Chicago Tribune commentary, “The painful realities of getting old,” by Stephen J. Lyons, published September 16, 2023: “On the occasion of my mother-in-law’s 100th birthday, I asked for her thoughts as she contemplated a second century. ‘Keep your mind open and your mouth shut!’ she quickly replied. I disagreed with the latter part…
Excerpts from Chicago Tribune letters to the editor published September 23, 2023: Medical aid in dying in Illinois I was moved by author Stephen J. Lyons’ telling of his mother-in-law’s prolonged, agonizing death (“The painful realities of getting old,” Sept. 16) and the powerful case he made for why Illinois lawmakers should introduce and pass a medical aid-in-dying…
In the a blink of an eye, it is the start of the holiday season. Below are highlights of our recent activities and an interesting spotlight on our volunteer Susie Ruth, Illinois death doula. Ready to get involved in Compassion & Choices’ work in Illinois? Tap or click here to email Midwest Advocacy Director Amy…
To receive personalized support, resources, and information.
Leave a message at 800.247.7421 to get connected.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, or prefer written communication, you are welcome to reach us by email at [email protected]
Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750
Compassion & Choices is a 501 C3 organization. Federal tax number: 84-1328829
