Legislation Would Resolve Death Certificate Reports, Allow the Full Truth

By CHRIS BALKEMA [pictured left]

Illinois Senator 53rd District, R-Channahon

I introduced new legislation that will improve transparency and accuracy on how deaths are documented under Illinois’ medical aid in dying law that was signed into law earlier this year.

Senate Bill 3937 would amend the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act to require that death certificates include both a patient’s underlying terminal illness and the use of medical aid in dying.

Under current law, when the Act takes effect on Sept. 12, 2026, death certificates for patients who self-administer life-ending medication will list only the individual’s terminal condition.

Coroners have reported that they would be put in a situation where they are not allowed to tell the full truth of why a person passes away.

My bill resolves this issue.

Illinois Physician-Assisted Suicide Bill Opposed

Effingham County Board has taken an official stance against the recently advanced Illinois Physician-Assisted Suicide Bill, known as the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act. The resolution, opposing the legislation, passed Monday after considerable discussion.

Board member Sandi Rich cited concerns regarding the responsibilities that would fall on county coroners and first responders when handling deaths under the new law. She also questioned the protocol for unused medication if a patient chooses not to proceed.  

County Coroner Kim Rhodes echoed those concerns, stating uncertainty over which medications would be used and how such deaths would be reported. County Democrat Chairman Pat Lewis expressed the need for ongoing review and potential revisions to the measure, but stopped short of supporting a complete repeal.

Illinois City Hands Out $25K Cash Payments to Black Residents Under Racist Reparations Program

By Joshua Q. Nelson, Fox News, February 11, 2026:

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson shared a post on X Wednesday defending the City of Chicago’s Reparations Task Force and slamming Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Credit: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s X account.

Evanston, Illinois. will issue $25,000 to 44 residents in reparations payments, the City’s Reparations Committee has announced.

Established in 2019 and approved by the City Council in 2021, the program issues $25,000 direct cash payments to Black residents and descendants of Black residents who lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969.

Evanston was the first city in the nation to pass a reparations plan, pledging $10 million over a decade to Black residents.

The payments are intended to cover housing expenses, Evanston official Cynthia Vargas told the Chicago Tribune.

Death Prevention Task Force

Meet Coroner Jamie Harwood, MSN, RN

Jamie Harwood proudly serves as the Peoria County Coroner, combining over two decades of nursing experience, forensic expertise, and community-centered leadership in one of the most trusted and compassionate roles in county government.

A lifelong resident of central Illinois, Jamie began his career in healthcare after graduating from the Methodist School of Nursing in 1997. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Penn State University in 2015, graduating with honors. Most recently, Jamie earned his Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Administrative Leadership from Penn State in 2024, again graduating with honors.

Disability Advocates, Including Amber Smock, Raise Concerns Over Bill Allowing Terminally Ill Adults to End Their Lives

Amber Smock

Bridgette Adu-Wadier | November 10, 2025

Terminally ill people in Illinois may soon be able to end their lives with medical assistance.

State lawmakers recently passed a controversial medical-aid-in-dying bill [assisted suicide and/or euthanasia], which now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk.

Supporters of the measure say it gives those who are already dying a compassionate way to go.

Khadine Bennet, the director of advocacy and intergovernmental affairs at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said many terminally ill people have exhausted many other options and want the option to go peacefully.

“A lot of the things we’ve heard from folks is that fear of, at the end of their life, still being in so much pain,” Bennet said. “They want to know that there is an option that’s available to them that is safe.”

But opponents say the measure would worsen longstanding health care disparities — particularly for individuals with disabilities and people who live below the poverty line.

Illinois Aid in Dying

State Senator Jill Tracy sees gaping loopholes and clear safety risks with the proposed legislation.

“There are safety concerns of allowing somebody to take a pill home that has a very lethal dose of morphine and other drugs that will kill you, put in the refrigerator, and the state never checks on it. ...

The ACLU of Illinois said the bill is about self-determination and compassion for people who have a disease or condition that cannot be cured and are expected to die as a result.

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide on Its Way to the Governor

Dear Advocates, 

In a surprise move in the early hours of Friday morning, the Illinois State Senate quietly took up and passed a bill to legalize assisted suicide, by a one vote margin. SB 1950 came up on the floor after 2 am during a veto session, with Senators voting 30-27 (with two not voting). The House passed SB 1950 in the spring, so the bill now goes to Governor JB Pritzker (pictured here). 

You  may recall that the House vote came after proponents gutted an unrelated food safety bill, which had previously passed the Senate, and replaced the language with the assisted suicide legislation. 

Diligent dedicated work was put in for years to defeat the bill by a very strong and large coalition of Illinois organizations and individuals. Focus now turns to convince the Governor that he must veto this dangerous bill which will put vulnerable Illinoisians at risk.  Our work doesn't end here, and all our voices will be needed to prevent further movement. When these bills do pass, they are by the slimmest of margins; if you haven't been involved before, now is the time.  

4 Family Members of Illinois Governor Candidate killed in Montana Helicopter Crash, Campaign Says

Four family members of a Republican running for governor in Illinois were killed in a Montana helicopter crash, his campaign said Thursday.

The son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren of former state lawmaker Darren Bailey, who lost the 2022 gubernatorial election in Illinois and is seeking his party’s nomination again in next year’s race, were killed in the crash Wednesday. Bailey previously served in both the Illinois House and Senate.

Bailey’s son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7, died in the crash in a remote area of eastern Montana, his campaign said in a statement. The couple’s third child was not on the helicopter.

“Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. They are finding comfort in their faith, their family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them,” the statement said.

US Supreme Court Sets Argument Regarding Post–Election Ballot Counting

Judicial Watch announced today that the Supreme Court of the United States has scheduled oral argument for October 8, 2025, in its lawsuit filed on behalf of Congressman Mike Bost and two presidential electors, who are before the court to vindicate their standing to challenge an Illinois law extending Election Day for 14 days beyond the date established by federal law.

On July 22 Judicial Watch announced that it filed its opening brief to the Supreme Court in this case (Rep.Michael J. Bost, Laura Pollastrini, and Susan Sweeney v. The Illinois State Board of Elections and Bernadette Matthews (No. 1:22-cv-02754, 23-2644, 24-568).

Assisted Suicide Bill Stalls in Illinois Legislature

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/264515/assisted-suicide-bill-stalls-in-illinois-legislature-amid-catholic-opposition

By Kate Quiñones, Credit: E Fehrenbacher/Shutterstock

CNA Staff, Jun 3, 2025 / 16:20 pm

A bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Illinois was not called for a vote in the Senate before the Legislature adjourned on June 1, effectively halting its progress for the session amid ardent opposition from leading Catholic voices in the state.

The bill, which passed in the House at the end of May, would have made it legal for physicians to give “qualified” terminally ill patients life-ending drugs. As the bill failed to move through the General Assembly, physican-asisted suicide remains criminal in Illinois.

Physician-assisted suicide, called medical aid in dying or “MAID” by proponents, is legal in 10 states as well as the nation’s capital. Oregon was the first to legalize the practice in 1994, though an injunction delayed its implementation until 1997.

Under the proposed Illinois legislation, death certificates would show the terminal illness as the cause of death, not suicide....

Doctors, Disability Activists Split on Support for Controversial Procedure

byAndrew Adams

 

 

CHICAGO — Lawmakers are considering legalizing a controversial medical practice that proponents say could ease suffering for the terminally ill.

[Formerly known as physician-assisted suicide and/or euthanasia]

It’s sometimes called “assisted suicide,” although physicians and advocates for the practice prefer the term “medical aid in dying,” or MAID.

While Compassion & Choices — a group that advocates for medical aid in dying policies — found a majority of Illinois voters supported legalizing MAID in a 2023 poll, some critics call the process “barbaric.”

Hospital System Implements Mask Mandate Across Illinois

By Jack Phillips

A hospital system in Illinois this week issued a mandate that everyone entering its facilities must wear a mask due to “widespread respiratory illnesses” in the area.

“Starting Tuesday, December 31, all employees, patients and visitors at our hospitals are required to wear masks due to the widespread respiratory illnesses in our communities, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV,” said OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, based in Peoria, Illinois, in a statement posted on Facebook.

“Additionally, we are implementing a temporary visitor restriction: only two visitors (age 18+) per patient at a time. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe.”

Don't Support Assisted Suicide

By Pam Heavens

https://thetimesweekly.com/2024/10/do-not-support-legalizing-physician-assisted-suicide/

The Illinois General Assembly is considering a bill that will legalize physician-assisted suicide. I am a 68-year-old Disabled woman and proud member of “Stop Assisted Suicide Illinois Coalition”, which vehemently opposes this bill. This organization includes representatives from diverse communities including disability rights, patients’ rights, health care, hospice care, human rights, senior rights, veterans, and various faith- based advocacy organizations. All parties are committed to keeping Illinois a physician-assisted suicide free state.

Illinois Doctor Opposes Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia Legalization

By Dr. Kevin Garner*

I am writing as a medical doctor with board certifications in internal medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, and addiction medicine. I work as a hospital physician, a hospice consultant, and provide primary care to an underserved population suffering from mental illness and addiction. Due to the Illinois Senate’s recent efforts to legalize “medical aid in dying” (aka, physician assisted suicide or euthanasia), I feel compelled to voice the opinion of many in the medical community regarding our opposition to empowering medical professionals to prescribe death.

The bill [SB 3499] is based on several flawed assumptions. Firstly, it overestimates the accuracy of a physician’s ability to predict a patient’s death within six months. Over the years, I have witnessed numerous patients who, despite meeting the six-month prognosis criteria for hospice care, have survived well beyond this period. Published studies confirm the high variability of physician prognostication.

Access Living’s Amber Smock Quoted Extensively In Chicago Tribune

By Diane Coleman [pictured here]

Three days ago, Amber Smock, Vice President of Advocacy at Access Living, was quoted extensively in a Chicago Tribune article about Illinois’ assisted suicide bill. Today, the editorial board of the Tribune took a position opposed to the bill.

The March 5th article, “Should Illinois become a ‘right-to-die’ state? Lawmakers consider end-of-life option for terminally ill adults,” covered both sides. Here is the segment giving Access Living’s perspective as a disability rights organization:

Yet some disability rights advocates warn that the measure could put vulnerable populations at risk, including seniors, disabled folks and people with mental health issues.

Alzheimer's Association Statement About Compassion & Choices, fna The Hemlock Society

Interesting news from last year.

Chicago. In an effort to provide information and resources about Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association entered into an agreement to provide education and awareness information to Compassion & Choices, but failed to do appropriate due diligence. Their values are inconsistent with those of the Association. We deeply regret our mistake, have begun the termination of the relationship, and apologize to all of the families we support who were hurt or disappointed. Additionally, we are reviewing our process for all agreements including those that are focused on the sharing of educational information.

Disability Groups Fight Back

Alderman Judy Fiske

On February 12, 2020, disability advocates from Access Living, Progress Center, Chicago ADAPT and Not Dead Yet attended a meeting
of the City Council of the City of Evanston, Illinois. The meeting was intended to provide public comment on a proposed resolution to support state legislation on assisted suicide.

Just after the start of the meeting, a spokesperson for the group proposing the resolution, announced that they were pulling
it in favor of more public discussion.

Evaston's Human Services Committee voted on February 3, 2020 to send the resolution to the full City Council.

Evanston City Council Strikes Euthanasia Resolution

Larry Blondi

By Margaret Dore, Esq.

On February 10, 2020, the Evanston City Council struck a resolution seeking to endorse "aid in dying," a euphemism for euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.

Speakers in opposition included Larry Blondi and other members of the disability community.

Evanston City Council Dumps Assisted Suicide Resolution

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Evanston City Council members last night ducked a resolution in support of assisted suicide after a large turnout of advocates on both sides of the issue.

Disability rights activists from Chicagoland organizations Access Living, Chicago ADAPT and Progress Center for Independent Living showed up to tell of the dangers of assisted suicide, while individuals representing national advocacy group Compassion and Choices  pushed the so-called “safety” of the process.

Just as the council was set to take up the resolution, Evanston resident Fay Clayton, wearing a yellow Compassion and Choices T-shirt, asked for the resolution to be withdrawn. Evanston Mayor Stephen Hagerty agreed, but allowed attendees to make short comments about the proposal. When the comments ended, council members struck the resolution from its agenda, saying more public discussion was needed.

Disability Advocates Oppose Evanston City Council Resolution

By Diane Coleman, Not Dead Yet

To view the original article, click here.

They say that “all politics are local.” While bills to legalize assisted suicide are a state issue, proponents of these dangerous bills are engaging in local politics as well.

An example is the Evanston City Council in Illinois. This is the home district of the lead sponsor in the state legislature. Last Thursday, the local newspaper announced that a proposed City Council resolution favoring the bill would be heard before the Council’s Human Services Committee on Monday, February 3rd. (h/t to Stephen Mendelsohn of Second Thoughts Connecticut for alerting us.)