Archive · 15 Dec 2025
Illinois Legalizes Medically Assisted Death for Terminally Ill
Illinois has become the 12th state in the US to allow medically assisted death for people who are very sick and not expected to live more than six months.
To be eligible, patients must be at least 18 years old and have two doctors confirm their condition.
They must also understand their choices and make the request themselves, not through someone else.
The law ensures that patients are fully informed about all end-of-life care options, like hospice or palliative care, before making their decision.
Illinois becomes the 12th US state to legalize medically assisted death for terminally ill patients.
Eligible patients must be 18 years or older with a fatal illness confirmed by two doctors.
Patients must have physician-confirmed mental capacity and receive information about all end-of-life care options.
Both oral and written requests for the medication must come directly from the patient.
The law ensures that patients are fully informed about alternatives like hospice or palliative care.
- Who
- Terminally ill patients in Illinois
- What
- Legalization of medically assisted death
- When
- Effective upon signing into law
- Where
- Illinois, USA
- Why
- To provide end-of-life care options for terminally ill patients
- State
- Illinois
- Eligibility Age
- 18 years and older
- Medical Confirmation
- Two doctors
- Timeframe for Illness
- Fatal within six months
- Request Requirements
- Both oral and written requests from the patient
- End-of-Life Options
- Includes hospice or palliative care information