The End-of-Life Options Act (SB 9 and HB 1328) would authorize medical aid in dying in Illinois. The Senate version was introduced on 1/13/2025 by Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes, and the House version on 1/14/2025 by Majority Leader Robyn Gabel. 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.
Tell your lawmakers to support SB 9 and HB 1328 by sending them an email using our simple form. It takes less than one minute to send!
Legislation to allow medical aid in dying, an option for mentally capable, terminally ill adults to peacefully end unbearable suffering, is supported by a wide majority of Illinois voters, regardless of political affiliation, disability, race, gender identity, age or religion.
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…
Let’s face it, the news has been distressing lately. Our work to recognize autonomy and expand options at the end of life has never been more important. Below are highlights of our recent activities and an informative spotlight from our coalition partner, Khadine Bennett, of the ACLU of Illinois. Local Update Activities are heating up…
As we close out 2021, we’re celebrating our first year of publishing this newsletter, bringing you up-to-date news on the growth of the movement to expand and protect end-of-life care options in Illinois. Together we have made terrific progress this year: Forty-five volunteers stepped forward to meet with 16 state legislators by Zoom this summer….
As we spring forward to expand our daylight hours, we are doing the same with our movement here in Illinois — educating and advocating to expand end-of-life options, including medical aid in dying. As you read on, we think you will be heartened by the wide range of activities and events occurring in the weeks ahead. Local…
Hello Friends of Compassion & Choices Illinois! Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Illinois Compassionate Quarterly, an email publication written by, and for, friends of the rapidly growing end-of-life options movement in Illinois. You will find information about recent and upcoming statewide and national events, and learn about what Illinois activists are doing. You will…
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