Illinois Senate Passes End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

ILLINOIS SENATE PASSES MEDICAL AID IN DYING ACT, SENDS HISTORIC LEGISLATION TO GOVERNOR PRITZKER 

Portland, Oregon, October 31, 2025 – In a landmark vote today, the Illinois State Senate passed the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act (SB1950), also referred to as Deb’s Law, marking a historic milestone in the fight for end-of-life autonomy. The bill now advances to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk for final approval. 

If signed into law, the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act will allow terminally ill, mentally capable adult residents of Illinois with a prognosis of six months or less to live to request and receive a prescription to die peacefully on their own terms. 

“The people of Illinois made history today. Their voices carried this bill through the legislature, making Illinois the first Midwestern state to pass a Death with Dignity bill through the legislature,” said Dr. Peg Sandeen, CEO of Death with Dignity.

“Across Illinois, residents spoke out for freedom and choice at the end of life. We are proud of their work and of the dedicated legislative champions who advocated to make end-of-life freedom a reality.”

Legislative champions—including Chief Sponsors Senator Linda Holmes and Senate co-sponsor Adriane Johnson—along with dozens of co-sponsors, worked tirelessly to ensure the Illinois Senate knew the votes were in place to pass the bill this session.

Illinois is the third state to pass medical aid in dying legislation this year. In May, Delaware’s Governor Matt Meyer signed their bill, which goes into effect in 2026. In June, New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act passed the Legislature, and is awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. If Governor Pritzker signs the bill, Illinois will become the 13th jurisdiction to legalize medical aid in dying.  

For media inquiries, please contact Elia Lawatsch: [email protected].

About Death with Dignity:

Death with Dignity is a national organization dedicated to promoting end-of-life options and advocating for the right of mentally competent, terminally ill adults to have access to medical aid in dying. Through education, advocacy, and support, Death with Dignity empowers individuals facing end-of-life decisions and works to ensure their autonomy and dignity are respected. For more information, visit www.deathwithdignity.org.