Rep. Adam Niemerg: Dark Day in Illinois as Governor signs Physician Assisted Suicide Bill

State Representative Adam Niemerg. Photo submitted by State Rep Niemerg.

For Release

Dieterich, IL – Governor Pritzker has officially signed Senate Bill 1950 into law, legalizing physician-assisted suicide for individuals and ultimately kicking wide open the door for end-of-life decisions to become purely economic decisions, according to State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Diederich).

Supporters of this new law contend that it will only apply to a limited number of severe terminal cases. However, history has shown that once the door to legal suicide is opened, it tends to widen. In Canada, where physician-assisted suicide began with stringent requirements, it has now become the fifth-leading cause of death, with over 10,000 cases reported in 2023 alone.

“There is no question that the number of illnesses included in our physician assisted suicide law will grow and grow over time,” Niemerg said. “And before too long, we will have medical professionals advising patients to end their lives rather be a burden on our healthcare system. We are indeed headed on a very dark path in Illinois. Life is sacred. We are more than dollars and cents. But sadly, the Democrats who control our state government have shown their total contempt for the sanctity of human life.”

Niemerg noted the Illinois State Medical Society has voiced its opposition to this dangerous legislation, emphasizing that it undermines the ethical foundations of medical practice. By legitimizing suicide, Senate Bill 1950 sends a harmful message to our youth, suggesting that life is meaningless and valueless.

“We must prioritize the value of life and provide compassionate care to those in need, rather than enabling despair,” Niemerg stated. “Are we truly prepared to allow this atrocity to take root in Illinois? If we embrace this path, we risk a significant increase in suicides. We have not thought the consequences of this new law through and we as a society will regret the actions Gov. Pritzker took today.”