Illinois has joined 12 other states in passing a law to allow terminally Ill patients to request a prescribed medication to end their life.

The law is controversial among religious groups and advocates of people with disabilities, who call the practice “assisted suicide.” However, many people believe patients should have a choice to avoid excruciating suffering when there is no hope of recovery. Consequently, safeguards are in place under the new law.

Eligibility and Limitations

The choice to end one’s life is solely the patient’s, with no undue influence from others. Consequently, the patient must have capacity. Therefore, several conditions are mandatory.

Patient must be an adult and an Illinois resident
The patient must be terminally ill, with less than 6 months to live.
Terminal diagnosis confirmed by two physicians
Patient must be able to self administer the medication
Patient must pass a mental evaluation by a physician to confirm that they are mentally capable of making the decision and not facing undue influence
Depressive disorder alone is not a qualification
Patients must make requests both verbally and in writing
Physicians inform patients of alternative hospice care and pain control options.

Additional Safeguards

To prevent coercion, it is a felony for someone to request the medication. Physicians and healthcare providers are not required to participate if doing so conflicts with their beliefs.

Physicians cannot be held civilly or criminally liable, or face professional discipline, for prescribing or refusing to prescribe the medication.

In conclusion, the increasing expansion of the law across the United States is fueled by the desire of people to have control over the end of their life and to die with dignity.

The law takes effect in Illinois on September 12th, 2026.

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This blog entry is for information and planning purposes. Therefore, it is not legal advice. Please do not use this blog as a substitute for legal advice, which depends on specific facts and laws in a particular jurisdiction. No reader of this blog should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in, or accessible through, this blog without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the reader’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

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