Editorial Board Urges Veto of Assisted Suicide Bill in Illinois

The editorial board is calling on Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to reject a proposed assisted suicide bill that recently passed the state legislature.

In their commentary, they emphasize that while compassion should inform end-of-life choices, it must be accompanied by caution. The bill, known as the End-of-Life Options Act, allows Illinois residents aged 18 and older with terminal illnesses—those expected to live six months or less—to request medication to end their lives. It includes several protective measures, such as a two-step application process with a five-day waiting period, mandatory doctor evaluations, consent requirements, and mental competency checks.

The legislation is now awaiting the governor’s approval, and Pritzker, who must decide within two months, has indicated he is still weighing his options. If enacted, Illinois would join 11 states and Washington, D.C., in permitting assisted suicide for those nearing the end of life.

The editorial board expressed numerous concerns about how assisted suicide could unfold in Illinois.

One major worry is that the safeguards in place, while seemingly robust, might soon be perceived as hindrances to access—similar to what has occurred in other states. For instance, California previously shortened the waiting period between requests from 15 days to just 48 hours.

Additionally, they highlighted that some of the strongest opposition has come from advocates representing people with disabilities. A study from Harvard revealed that 82.4% of doctors thought individuals with severe disabilities lead lower-quality lives compared to those without disabilities. Alarmingly, only 40.7% of them felt very confident in providing equal care to disabled patients. Advocates are understandably troubled by these findings and contend that they point to potential bias within the medical community.

There’s also the concern that those facing serious illness might see assisted suicide as a way to avoid placing a financial strain on their families. The board reflected on the value of time spent with loved ones, suggesting that you can’t put a price on those moments.

As a cautionary note, they looked to other countries, like Canada and the Netherlands, which have seen their assisted suicide laws expand significantly beyond terminal conditions. They specifically pointed to how Canada eliminated requirements for “reasonably foreseeable death” in some situations and stated that by 2023, one in 20 deaths there would be from assisted dying.

They also referenced a troubling case involving a young Dutch woman who, suffering from depression and other mental health issues, sought euthanasia because she felt “tired of living.”

The board concluded that Illinois should prioritize pain relief over granting physicians authority to expedite death and expressed hope that the governor will veto the bill.