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Illinois State Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has long sought to pass legislation allowing residents with terminal illnesses to end their lives under specific conditions. Holmes’ personal experience shapes her perspective: Both of her parents died from cancer.
The proposed bill, which passed the State Senate in October with a 30 to 27 vote, applies to people diagnosed with a terminal disease and given fewer than six months to live. Eleven states and Washington, D.C. currently have medical-aid-in-dying bills. The Illinois bill passed the House in May 2025 with a 63 to 42 vote.
The bill, which Gov. JB Pritzker signed in December, includes numerous safeguards, including a requirement that protects individuals from being coerced into choosing to end their lives.
Still, opposition remains. Access Living, a disability rights organization, argues the measure could put people with disabilities at risk of pressure to die. Several religious groups also oppose the bill. Physicians remain split.
A recent survey found 58% of Illinois physicians support medical aid in dying.
