Governor Pritzker has signed a new law that allows terminally ill patients to request medication that will end their lives.
“While this is an emotional issue, the law contains significant risks that should concern all Illinois families.” said Senator Chris Balkema.
Senator Balkema continues, “The medication can be taken without a doctor even being present. There is no clear process for ensuring leftover doses are secured or removed. Seniors, disabled individuals, and those without strong support systems may feel pressure to choose this option even if they would prefer more care or more time. In addition, a coroner cannot state, on a death certificate, that the person decided to take their life. Instead, the coroner has to state the cause of death that a person has been diagnosed with. This presents a very large ethical issue for the coroner.”
“Illinois should be expanding access to hospice services, palliative medicine, and mental health treatment. Instead, the state created a pathway that carries serious safety concerns and could place vulnerable people at risk,” said Senator Balkema.
Senator Balkema remains deeply concerned about introducing a culture of death into Illinois.
“Having watched both my parents pass peacefully in hospice, I believe true compassion means protecting life and caring for the vulnerable, not hastening death.” said Senator Chris Balkema.
Senator Balkema will continue to stand for dignity and safeguards at life’s end.
