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A federal judge denied a request from disability rights advocates to block the Illinois assisted suicide law from going into effect on September 12, 2026, rejecting arguments that the law violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and other protections. The judge noted that one plaintiff, a quadriplegic woman, did not demonstrate harm under the law and questioned the standing of the plaintiffs, while giving them 30 days to appeal the decision.

Disability rights organizations petitioned a federal judge to block the Illinois assisted suicide law scheduled to take effect on September 12, 2026, arguing it violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and discriminates against disabled people due to potential physician bias and coercion. Additionally, Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich and two orders of Catholic nuns filed a lawsuit claiming the law infringes on constitutional protections for free speech and religious freedom, while a judge is expected to decide on the law's legality before its implementation date.

Alex Schadenberg Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Disability leaders opposing assisted suicide On December 12, 2025 w e reported that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed assisted suicide bill SB 9 into law. The Illinois assisted suicide law is scheduled to go into effect on September 12, 2026. On August 13, 2026 we reported that a group of Illinois physicians, a Catholic bishop and a faith-based nursing home filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block Illinois’ assisted suicide law before it goes into effect. On August 24, 2026 Molly Sweeney reported for WCIA news that Illinoi