Hooray for Holmes' bill to bring Right to Die to Illinois

Hooray for Holmes' bill to bring Right to Die to Illinois

Assistant Illinois Senate Majority leader Linda Holmes introduced SB3499 Friday. It would create end-of-life options for the Terminally Ill Patients Act in Illinois. If passed, Illinois would join 11 other states that permit end of life options for terminally ill patients.

Holmes’ bill has a number of restrictions greatly limiting its use. But it’s a start. It’s only available to the terminally ill with a ‘six months or less’ prognosis. The patients must verbally request lethal drugs from their doctor twice within 5 days and follow up with a written statement. Their doctor must certify the patient is mentally competent to tender such a request.

As a fairly healthy 79 year old, I’m not imminently close to needing a right to die option in Illinois. But I certainly want it available to me if and when that stark crisis knocks on my door. Every Illinoisan deservers that right.

The Illinois legislature should pass Holmes’ Right To Die bill without delay. Don’t let it die in committee.