Thomas More Society expresses deep disappointment that, in the early hours of October 31, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation that would bring “assisted suicide” to the Land of Lincoln, endangering the elderly, the sick, and those struggling with despair or disability.
In addition to its substantial undermining of the dignity of human life, SB 1950 threatens to force Illinois physicians and healthcare workers to violate their deeply held religious convictions and practices, making the law susceptible to constitutional challenge. The law, as passed, would force Illinois physicians and healthcare professionals to participate in assisted deaths by mandating referral. If signed, the law would even require religiously affiliated hospitals and medical practices to retain staff who promote assisted deaths on-site, as long as those staff administer deadly drugs off-site.
“Doctors should never be forced to support or participate in a deadly act that violates the deepest principles of their faith and their calling to heal,” said Peter Breen, Executive Vice President and Head of Litigation at Thomas More Society. “Christian healthcare reflects a holy work, and these religious clinics and hospitals share a sacred bond with patients: those patients trust their caregivers to act in accordance with the religious principles of these institutions. But the General Assembly’s ‘assisted suicide’ bill would require these Christian institutions to refer for death and forbid them from ensuring that staff members do not promote or prescribe deadly drugs to patients.”
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Breen warned that the new law will have far-reaching consequences for the most vulnerable in our society and with weak safeguards, transforming Illinois into an assisted suicide tourist destination.
“This legislation represents a tragic betrayal of the most vulnerable Illinoisans and puts pressure on the elderly and disabled to judge themselves by their supposed ‘burden’ and weigh their lives in the balance,” said Breen. “Every human being is made in God’s image, with immeasurable worth and dignity. Instead of offering real care, compassion, and support, Illinois lawmakers have chosen to promote death as a ‘solution’ to suffering.”
Breen calls on Governor Pritzker to veto the legislation, urging Illinoisans to reflect on what this moment means for the state’s moral compass and to reflect on how Illinois has historically treated its most vulnerable residents.
“I ask every person of goodwill to look into their heart and ask: is this truly compassion to discard those who feel like a burden, rather than surround them with care, love, and dignity?” Breen asks. “The idea that some lives are not worth living is something our society should never accept. Thomas More Society will always stand on the side of life, and we implore Governor Pritzker to stop this devastating bill before it brings irreversible harm.”
