Illinois Enacts Midwest’s First Aid-in-Dying Law
On Sept. 12 Deb Robertson celebrated at home as Illinois' Deb's law took effect, the first Midwestern medical aid-in-dying statute and 13th state plus D.C. The 68-year-old had lobbied in Springfield after cancer ended her 30 years aiding homeless youth. She said God gave her extra time so she could see the law through and that people have the right to leave with dignity on their own terms. Patients need an incurable illness, under six months to live, a voluntary choice, and self-administration. Oregon started in 1997; roughly 15,000 U.S. deaths followed. Nearly one-third of Americans live where it is legal. Contested: Ebony Payne, a plaintiff, said it puts people with developmental, mental, and physical disabilities in danger. Pope Leo XIV urged Gov. JB Pritzker not to sign and was very disappointed. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki is in a federal lawsuit against the law. Dr. Jessica Kaan called ALS particularly gruesome to anticipate; her mother is horrified she is involved. Kaan does not love others policing the choice. Peter Redgrove took California's lethal dose from a Sylvester the Cat cup after Champagne, a purple shroud, and Time, then a Buddhist prayer. He said he sees no point enduring pain when means exist to end it and you get no extra points for hanging to the bitter end.