medical aid in dying

Illinois' medical aid in dying law takes effect Saturday. Terminally ill adults across the state will have the legal option to request medication from a physician to end their lives. In McLean County, it might not be that easy.

OSF, a Catholic health care system based in Peoria, said in a statement it was “saddened” to hear the governor signed the bill into law. Health care providers are not required to participate.

The new law, which takes effect next September, opens the door for people 18 or older with a terminal diagnosis to be prescribed a fatal drug.

Illinois lawmakers filed more than 7,500 bills this spring session, and 615 of them crossed the finish line. While most bills failed to escape legislative committees, there were some that got close to becoming reality.