A bill that would legalize end-of-life aid that is now on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk is a polarizing issue, admits Oak Park resident Tiffany Johnson.
It’s one that everyone seems to have an opinion about.
“This is such a big deal and it is highly emotion-filled,” said Johnson, who is a death doula and owns We Too Shall Pass, an LLC focused on advocacy for a dying person and their family. “People aren’t usually neutral or lukewarm about it.”
But where Johnson differs in the debate is she has a current client who is terminally ill and would prefer the right-to-die option that Senate Bill 1950 – also known as Deb’s Law – would authorize. The law would take effect after a nine-month wait period to educate medical practitioners about it. And it still requires Pritzker’s signature which is not assured.
“I’m literally in the hospital with somebody who is a major advocate,” Johnson said Thursday. “She won’t live long enough to access medical aid in dying in this state.”
Still, Johnson marvels at the support from Oak Park residents for the bill, which Pritzker has 60 days to consider and sign. Or not.
Terri Powell, former Oak Park village clerk, is a supporter.
“What kind of life do I want to have in my final days?” said Powell. “To choose to end it when it’s still possible to be coherent and be around family makes a lot of sense for people.
“People going through a difficult end-of-life process, allow them to die with dignity with family and friends, and have a sense of control at the end of life,” said Powell.
Powell, a Unitarian and former Catholic, admitted that there are faith communities that are opposed to the legislation, “but there are other faith communities that think this can be a blessing in your final days.”
Rev. Carl Morello, pastor of Oak Park’s Catholic parishes, does not share that viewpoint.
“Recently at a meeting, Archbishop (Blase) Cupich addressed this,” Morello said. “It’s a slippery slope and we have to stand where the church has always stood, protecting life from birth to natural death. We would not be supporting this bill.”
What are his parishioners saying?
“Like so many other things, there are mixed reactions,” he said. “That’s where the slippery slope comes in – how do you know your doctor is guiding you to the right decision, especially with healthcare today? What if someone misleads you, (saying) ongoing care is going to be expensive and may not help in the long run? The family members encourage them to take their own life. There has to be some guidelines.”
According to bill supporter Compassion & Choices, the Illinois bill is modeled after other state laws and has multiple guardrails. To be eligible, a person must be 18 or older, terminally ill with a prognosis of six months or less to live, based on the confirmation by two physicians, and mentally capable of making an informed decision. Among other provisions, the person must be able to self-administer the medication that would cause actual death.
Chloe King is a senior campaign organizer for Illinois for Compassion & Choices. She agreed with Johnson that Oak Park has been a stalwart in support for the bill.
“There is something about Oak Park that just has this energy and this willingness to advocate and stand up,” King said. “It’s really amazing.”
King said there are 12 states plus the District of Columbia that permit medical aid in dying. Delaware recently ratified its law and there is a bill on the governor’s desk in New York.
Will Pritzker sign the Illinois bill into law?
“I would hope he does sign Deb’s Law, but I’m no fortune teller,” King said. “In terms of when he might sign it, I don’t know what the answer is.”
Powell wrote to Pritzker last week urging him to sign the bill. Johnson said she understands that Pritzker may have a personal stake in the bill.
“I don’t see a reason why he wouldn’t,” she said. “He has verbally expressed witnessing the journey of loved ones, family or friends, who have gone through the challenging, painful end-of-life experiences.”
Morello went back to the theological question about medical aid in dying.
“Is it a sin?” he said. “It has to be answered by God alone.”