DECATUR, IL… State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) issued the following release after Governor Pritzker signed SB 1950 into law, legalizing physician-assisted suicide. The new law allows physicians to prescribe self-administered medication that would end the life of terminally ill patients that have a prognosis of 6 months or less to live.
“As a pro-life legislator, I am extremely disappointed in Governor Pritzker’s decision to sign this bill into law which compromises the sanctity of life,” began Rep. Deering. “Aside from my moral objections, it has serious practical problems. Since this medication is self-administered, once it leaves the pharmacy, there is no telling who will have access to the fatal medication. That gravely concerns me, considering the ongoing mental health crisis affecting our communities.”
In addition to issues with who can access the prescription, Rep. Deering raises concerns regarding coercion of the most vulnerable populations and the precedent this new law sets in Illinois.
“I am also worried about how this new law will affect conversations with the elderly, disabled, and chronically ill populations,” continued Rep. Deering. “With the option to prematurely end the lives of our most vulnerable, I worry of an influx of coercion and abuse tactics to get these individuals to take the medication. The safeguards included in the new law simply don’t go far enough and that can lead to a very dangerous and slippery slope.”
Rep. Deering also notes that there are other options to provide quality end-of-life care that Illinois has had the option to expand but has not.
“Compassionate end-of-life care is a necessity, but in order to provide that, we need to expand other options such as access to hospice, palliative care, mental health services, and support for caregivers, not legalize physician-assisted suicide,” concluded Rep. Deering.
The measure will become effective in September 2026.
For more information, please contact Rep. Deering at (217) 876-1968 or visit RepDeering.com.
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