Illinois Senate Hearing on Assisted Suicide (Full Hearing)

The Illinois Senate held a hearing on April 9, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 9, the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, which would allow terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to request and self-administer aid-in-dying medication. The bill passed out of committee on a partisan roll call of 9 to 4.

Illinois Family Institute was among the opponents of this dangerous legislation, which also included the Catholic Conference of Illinois, Illinois Right to Life, and Access Living. Opponents called the bill “assisted suicide” and raised concerns about risks to vulnerable groups, like people with disabilities, who might face coercion or healthcare discrimination. They argued palliative care is a better alternative to manage end-of-life suffering and questioned the bill’s safeguards, citing cases in other states where insurance denied treatment but offered lethal drugs. Disability advocates and medical professionals, like Dr. Kevin Garner, challenged the notion of “peaceful” deaths, noting potential complications like prolonged dying processes.

Proponents of the bill argued the bill offers a compassionate option for mentally capable, terminally ill adults to end unbearable suffering peacefully. They highlighted safeguards like requiring two verbal requests, a written request, and confirmation by two doctors of the patient’s prognosis and mental capacity. Advocates, including Sen. Linda Holmes, shared personal stories, like watching loved ones suffer from terminal illnesses, and cited a 2023 poll showing 71% of Illinois voters support the legislation. Compassion & Choices and the ACLU of Illinois emphasized patient autonomy and the bill’s alignment with laws in states like Oregon.

Ironically, states like Oregon, who have had assisted-suicide legalized for years now, are attempting to loosen restrictions and make self-death more widely available.