Medical aid in dying is an available end-of-life care option as of September 12, 2026. Illinois authorized medical aid in dying 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.
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?
Medical aid in dying is for people who are already dying. It is a lawful medical option for qualified adults with a terminal illness, a prognosis of six months or less to live, who can make their own healthcare decisions and have the ability to take the medication themselves.
Medical aid in dying is not suicide or euthanasia. Compassion & Choices supports people seeking information about lawful end-of-life care options in the United States. We do not provide instructions or guidance for ending your life outside supportive medical care.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, in crisis, or thinking about suicide, help is available right now. You are not alone, and your pain deserves care. Call 988, text 988, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at https://988lifeline.org/chat/
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…
Happy National Healthcare Decisions Day! Today, April 16, we recognize National Healthcare Decisions Day. In our second year of a global pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to command more attention on the importance of advance care planning and the movement to expand and protect end-of-life options for everyone. Make sure the people you care…
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