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.

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.