[ACLU-CU ALERT] ACTION NEEDED BEFORE FRIDAY

[Champaign County ACLU Announcements]




DEAR ACLU FRIENDS,


This Friday, May 16, 2025, the Illinois House Executive Committee is set to hold a subject matter hearing on HB 1328, the House version Senate Bill 9. The End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, also known as “Deb’s Law” 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=22151&legislationId=0&legislationdocumentid=0>.
 
Authorizing medical aid in dying in Illinois will bring 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 HB 1328 is heard in the House Executive Subject Matter Hearing on Friday, May 16 at 9:00 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. 
 
Take action today in support of HB 1328 by filling out a witness slip for the Committee and mark yourself as a PROPONENT.
 
FILL OUT A WITNESS SLIP FOR HB 1328 WHEN IT IS CONSIDERED ON FRIDAY.  <https://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create?committeeHearingId=22151&legislationId=0&legislationdocumentid=0>
 
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 FILLING THIS OUT AS AN INDIVIDUAL, NOT ON BEHALF OF THE ACLU.
Firm – Fill in “SELF”
Position – For SUBJECT MATTER select HB 1328. 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 HB 1328 by filling out a witness slip, and marking yourself as a proponent.
 
FILL OUT A WITNESS SLIP FOR HB 1328 IN THE HOUSE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE <https://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create?committeeHearingId=22151&legislationId=0&legislationdocumentid=0>
 
Thanks for your help on this issue.  We appreciate your participation in this work. 


 
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