SPRINGFIELD –Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes – alongside family members and advocates of terminally ill adults – outlined their support of legislation to provide terminally ill patients with end-of-life options during a subcommittee Wednesday.

“We are working to take a compassionate step forward to honor the fundamental human right to determine one’s own end-of-life journey with autonomy and peace,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “People deserve the dignity to make their own deeply personal choices – and to do so surrounded by their loved ones while free from unnecessary suffering.”

Holmes’ legislation would allow mentally capable, terminally ill adults with six months or less to live the option to request a prescription for medication that they could choose to take to end their suffering peacefully. Physicians would not administer the medication; patients would need to be able to take the medication themselves. To protect against coercion, the measure includes eligibility requirements and assessments by the attending physician and a consulting physician, who will determine if the patient has the mental capacity to make an informed decision.

If either physician has doubt, they must refer the patient to a licensed mental health professional for further evaluation. The physicians must apprise the patient of all end-of-life options. Further, coercing, attempting to force someone to request a prescription, or forging a medication request would be a felony under the legislation. No health care professional would be required to participate, and individuals would be able to withdraw their request or decide not to take the medication.

Holmes has worked on the legislation for over a year with the Illinois End-of-Life Options Coalition, which includes Compassion and Choices Action Network Illinois, Illinois Now, ACLU Illinois, doctors, clergy, patients with terminal conditions and their family members. Senate Bill 9 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

PHOTO: L to R: Khadine Bennett, ACLU Illinois; Suzy Flack, Compassion and Choices; and SB 9 sponsor Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) provide testimony in support of Illinois becoming the first state in the Midwest to allow End-of-Life Options for terminally-ill adults with six months or less to live to request a physician prescribe medication that will allow the patient to end their own life in a peaceful manner.