Illinois Enacts 'Deb's Law' Allowing Medical Aid in Dying — Effective Sept. 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed a law that allows Illinois residents with terminal illnesses to obtain medical aid in dying. The law, commonly called 'Deb's Law,' will take effect in September 2026 to give health agencies and providers time to develop implementation rules, safeguards and training.

What the Law Does

The statute permits adults 18 and older who have physician-confirmed capacity to make medical decisions and who are diagnosed with a terminal illness expected to cause death within six months to request prescribed end-of-life medication. Two doctors must verify the prognosis, and patients must receive information about all end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care. Both oral and written requests must come directly from the patient; proxies or surrogates cannot request the medication for someone else.

Supporters and Legislative Vote

Sponsoring Sen. Linda Holmes, a Democrat from the Chicago suburbs, said personal experience shaped her support. She noted watching her parents suffer from cancer and argued the law offers one more option for adults of sound mind facing unbearable suffering.

'Every adult patient of sound mind should have this as one more option in their end-of-life care in the event their suffering becomes unbearable,' Holmes said.

The Illinois House approved the measure 63-42 late in the spring legislative session; the Senate passed it 30-27 in October. The votes included notable Democratic opponents in both chambers.

Namesake and Advocacy

The law honors Deb Robertson, a retired suburban Chicago social worker living with a rare terminal condition who advocated for the measure and shared testimony about patients' and families' suffering. After the signing, Robertson thanked the governor and said she was glad to have helped expand end-of-life options for terminally ill residents.

'The end for me could be near, but I'm pleased to have been able to play some role in ensuring that terminally ill Illinois residents have access to medical aid in dying,' Robertson said.

Concerns and Opposition

The Catholic Conference of Illinois, representing the state's six Catholic dioceses, issued a strongly worded statement condemning the law and urging the state to invest in palliative and hospice care, pain management and family-centered support instead. The conference said the statute puts Illinois on a 'dangerous and heartbreaking path' and argued it risks normalizing self-harm.

Disability and patient-rights advocates also voiced concerns. The nonpartisan Patients Rights Action Fund warned that the law could pressure vulnerable people and divert attention from improving access to quality care for those communities.

'Assisted suicide plunges Illinoisans with disabilities and other vulnerable people into conversations about death, instead of the care and support they deserve from their medical teams,' said Matt Valliere, the group's president and CEO.

Context

Advocacy group Death With Dignity says Illinois will join 11 states and the District of Columbia in permitting medical aid in dying; Delaware is the most recent state to pass such a law, with its rules taking effect Jan. 1, 2026. Supporters say these laws provide compassionate choice for terminally ill patients, while critics call for stronger investments in palliative care and safeguards for vulnerable populations.

Implementation Timeline: The September 2026 start date gives the Illinois Department of Public Health and clinical partners time to create the protocols, reporting systems and professional guidance needed to ensure the law is implemented with safeguards and oversight.