Last week, Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1950, which allows terminally ill adults to request medication that will end their lives. The law permits the medication to be taken without a doctor being present and does not establish clear requirements for securing or recovering leftover doses.

Critics warn that the law exposes seniors and disabled individuals to new risks, since many may feel pressure to choose this option out of fear of being a burden. Concerns remain about oversight, patient safety, and the absence of meaningful safeguards.

With the Governor’s signature, Illinois becomes one of a small number of states that permit physician-assisted suicide. Many believe the state should have focused on expanding palliative care, hospice access, and mental health resources instead of creating a process that cannot be reversed.

The state should never adopt policies that erode trust in the care system or leave vulnerable residents questioning their value. Illinois can do better by strengthening support networks and ensuring no one feels their only option is to end their life.