(Washington, D.C.): Today, Governor Pritzker signed the “End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act,” making Illinois the 12th state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to legalize assisted suicide in the nation as of September 2026.
Americans United for Life denounces this effort for what it is: a false effort to provide compassionate end-of-life care to vulnerable and terminally ill patients.
John Mize, CEO of Americans United for Life, commented, “Today marks a devastating day for the State of Illinois as its most vulnerable populations—the elderly, sick and disabled—will be subjected to this dangerous legislation next fall.
“While the few patient safeguards that are attached to this bill are vastly insufficient as it stands, the assisted suicide lobby will claim they are a ‘burden’ and immediately begin attempting to strip them away as they have in other states. As assisted suicide becomes legal, palliative care options will begin to disappear, and insurance providers will deny claims for more expensive life-sustaining care while advancing assisted suicide to line their own pockets. Nothing about this bill is compassionate, and Illinois must immediately reverse course to prioritize true dignity in death.”
Carolyn McDonnell, Litigation Counsel for AUL, emphasized, “Illinois’ assisted suicide law creates a two-tiered healthcare system, offering suicide prevention for the healthy and young, but pushing suicide assistance for those with disabilities and the elderly. The law degrades the integrity of the medical profession, undermines health equity, openly authorizes healthcare discrimination, and exploits vulnerable patients at the end of their lives.”
Suicidal thoughts and actions are signs of extreme mental distress and should not be ignored. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental or emotional distress, do not hesitate to reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
For more information or to arrange an interview with AUL, contact Gavin Oxley at press@aul.org or 202-987-3321.
Since 1971, Americans United for Life (AUL) has advanced the human right to life in culture, law, and policy by equipping advocates and lawmakers with the facts and strategies that change hearts and minds and protect human life. The first national pro-life organization in the country, AUL is a nonprofit, public-interest law and policy organization with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
