Disability-rights advocates sue Illinois over physician-assisted suicide law

(The Center Square) – A law that is set to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Illinois is being challenged by disability-rights advocates and organizations in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois.

The law, signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last December, is set to go into effect on Sept. 12, but disability rights advocates, which make up the “End Assisted Suicide Coalition,” are seeking to prevent it.

Similar laws have been passed in 13 states across the country, with many also being challenged in court.

Ernest Galvan, a lawyer representing the group in its lawsuit against Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Health and its director, told The Center Square the group is challenging the law for its lack of compliance with the U.S. Constitution and Americans with Disabilities Act.

“The problem with that under federal disability law and under Illinois disability law is that it creates a two-track system, a separate and an unequal system of medi...