Two federal lawsuits are now seeking to block Illinois’ new assisted suicide law before it takes effect next month.

The “End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act,” signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker, is scheduled to take effect September 12th. The law allows mentally competent adults with a terminal illness and six months or less to live to request medication intended to end their lives.

State Representative and physician Bill Hauter, a Republican from Morton, opposed the measure during the most recent legislative session. Hauter says the law conflicts with a physician’s oath and their duty to heal and accompany patients during the final stages of serious illness.

Hauter also says there is a legal basis for the lawsuit, arguing the law could require physicians to participate in assisted suicide, despite provisions stating that doctors cannot be forced to do so. Even if a physician doesnt want to participate, they are required to make a referral, which is still participation even if they aren't the ones administering the end of life medication. 

The latest lawsuit was filed on behalf of several Central Illinois religious leaders and four Illinois physicians. The Thomas More Society is representing the plaintiffs and is asking a federal court to block the law before it takes effect. The group argues the law could potentially require physicians and other medical professionals with religious objections to help facilitate patient suicides, which is something they say conflicts with the Hippocratic Oath, longstanding medical traditions, and their deeply held religious beliefs.

Despite also being a physician himself, Hauter is not one of the physicians filing the lawsuit. 

More information on the legislation and its status can be found through the Illinois General Assembly at www.ilga.gov.