The Illinois End-of-Life Options Coalition

The Illinois End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act (SB 3499), that would authorize medical aid in dying in Illinois, was introduced in the Senate on February 8, 2024 by Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D 42). The legislation is summarized here.

The majority of Illinoisans support medical aid in dying. In a 2023 poll, 71% of likely Illinois Voters supported this compassionate legislation. The majority of Illinois physicians also support this option with the key safeguards in the legislation (see poll).

The Illinois End-of-Life Options Coalition is advocating for the end-of-life care option of medical aid in dying for qualified terminally ill Illinoisans. If you would like to get involved in this movement, please sign up here.

What is medical aid in dying?

Coalition News

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About The Coalition

Mission Statement: The Illinois End-of-Life Options Coalition is a broad-based, inclusive statewide partnership dedicated to raising both awareness and support across Illinois for medical aid in dying for terminally ill people. The coalition’s goal is to authorize medical aid in dying and ensure that terminally ill people who want it can access it.

Coalition Partners

The ACLU of Illinois has been the principal protector of constitutional rights in the state since its founding in 1926. With a growing membership in Illinois and across the country, the ACLU protects freedom, liberty, equality and justice through litigation, lobbying and education.

Compassion & Choices Action Network improves care, expands options and empowers everyone to chart their end-of-life journey. We envision a society that affirms life and accepts the inevitability of death, embraces expanded options for compassionate dying, and empowers everyone to choose end-of-life care that reflects their values, priorities, and beliefs.

Final Options Illinois was founded in 1986. We are dedicated to achieving legal change, to make aid in dying fully legal and part of accepted medical practice, here in Illinois.

Stories

Verna O’Brien

As someone living with a disability, I believe I should get to make my own decisions about what kind of medical care I receive when I reach the end of my life. No one else should get to make that decision for me.

Miguel Carrasquillo

I had numerous conversations with God throughout my life, especially during my illness. I could not understand why people judged me a sinner for wanting to die peacefully rather than enduring severe seizures and excruciating pain until the end of my life. As a Catholic, I was taught it is wrong for anyone to judge someone else.

Sophie Meyn

I don’t want to die and I don’t want anyone to misconstrue my advocacy as my wanting to die. I very much want to live. I love my life, I love my daughter, I love my husband, and I don’t want to leave them. I want to keep trying as long as there’s hope. But I want to avoid being trapped in my body, in pain as it’s breaking down, knowing that I’m dying, for who knows how long.