[ACLU-CU ALERT] NEED WITNESS SLIPS BY FRIDAY

[Champaign County ACLU Announcements]

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DEAR FRIENDS,


This *Friday, February 20, 2025*, the Illinois Senate Executive Committee
is hosting a subject matter hearing on Senate Bill 9, the End-of-Life
Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act. This bill is an initiative of the
ACLU of Illinois and Compassion in Choices. We are asking you to file a
witness slip to SUPPORT this critical measure
<https://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create?committeeHearingId=21447&legislationId=0&legislationdocumentid=0>
.



SB9 authorizes medical aid in dying in Illinois, bringing us in line with
10 other states and the District of Columbia.  Medical Aid in Dying is a
trusted and time-tested medical practice that is part of the full spectrum
of end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care.  This
bill would allow adults in Illinois who are mentally capable and have a
terminal illness – and a prognosis of less than 6 months or less to live –
to obtain a prescription medication they may decide to take so they can die
peacefully and end their suffering.



Despite claims of opponents to the law, not a single substantiated case of
abuse or coercion has been found in the more than 25 years since the first
medical aid in dying law went into effect in Oregon.  The legislation
contains a number of protections to guard against abuse.



You can read more about the bill and the protections here
<https://www.aclu-il.org/en/legislation/sb-9-end-life-options-terminally-ill-patients-act>
.



Please fill out a witness slip before SB9 is heard in the Senate Executive
Committee on Friday, February 20th at 10:00 a.m.  We urge you to file a
witness slip as a *proponent* of the legislation ahead of the Committee’s
scheduled meeting time.


*PLEASE REMEMBER TO FILL OUT THE SLIP FOR YOURSELF, NOT FOR THE ACLU.*


*WITNESS SLIP INSTRUCTIONS*
<https://www.aclu-il.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/witness_slip_one_pager.pdf>
*:*

*Identification* – Fill in your name and personal contact information.

*Representation* – Fill in “*SELF.*” *THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. YOU ARE DOING
THIS AS AN INDIVIDUAL, NOT ON BEHALF OF THE ACLU.*

*Firm* – Fill in “*SELF*”

*Position* – Check the box next to* PROPONENT.*

*Testimony* – Check the box next to *RECORD OF APPEARANCE ONLY.*

Check the box agreeing to the ILGA terms of agreement and click the ‘create
slip’ box.
------------------------------



*Take action before the committee meets FRIDAY MORNING in support of SB9 by
filling out a witness slip, and marking yourself as a proponent.*





   - *FILL OUT A WITNESS SLIP FOR SB9 IN THE SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE *
   <https://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create?committeeHearingId=21447&legislationId=0&legislationdocumentid=0>



Thanks for your help on this issue.  We appreciate your participation in
this work!
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