Judge temporarily blocks Illinois 'medical aid in dying' law ahead of start this weekend
CHICAGO -- A federal judge Friday approved a requested temporary restraining order against Illinois in a lawsuit filed by Catholic leaders connected to the state's "medical aid in dying" law.
The TRO means the state cannot proceed with the law starting Saturday, as was planned.
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Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich and two orders of Catholic nuns are seeking to block the law, arguing it violates constitutional protections for free speech and religious freedom.
A federal judge on Thursday declined to block the law.
The End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, or EOLA, which Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law in December after a two-year legislative push, is restricted to adults who have less than six months to live, as determined by two separate physicians. In addition to a mandated waiting period, patients must undergo an evaluation finding they are able to self-administer the drugs, have the mental capacity to make the decision and are not being coerced.
The law also prohibits doctors from broaching the subject without the patient first bringing it up. Even so, a group of disability rights advocates, patients and a doctor sued to halt the law ahead of its Sept. 12 effective date, claiming EOLA will lead physicians to push their disabled patients toward what opponents refer to as "assisted suicide."
This is a developing story; check back with ABC7 Chicago for updates.
Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.
