As Illinois governor considers assisted-suicide bill, Bishop Paprocki calls for prayer and opposition

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said Nov. 3 he has not yet decided whether to sign a bill that would legalize physician-assisted suicide in the state — though he admitted feeling “deeply” affected by those seeking it. His comments came just days after the measure narrowly cleared the General Assembly.

“It was something that I didn’t expect and didn’t know it was going to be voted on, so we’re examining it even now,” Pritzker told reporters at an unrelated press conference, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

As CatholicVote reported, the Senate approved SB 1950 by a 30-27 vote in the early hours of Oct. 31, around 3 a.m. If signed by Pritzker, the bill would allow terminally ill patients to obtain and self-administer lethal “medication” prescribed by physicians. It would take effect nine months after Pritzker’s signature.

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“I know how terrible it is that someone who’s in the last six months of their life could be experiencing terrible pain and anguish, and I know people who have gone through that,” Pritzker said Nov 3. “I know people whose family members have gone through that, and so, I mean, it hits me deeply and makes me wonder about how we can alleviate the pain that they’re going through.”

The governor, who is seeking a third term next year and is widely viewed as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, the Tribune reported, added that he has “heard a lot” from supporters of the legislation.

Catholic and pro-life groups, meanwhile, are urging Pritzker to veto the bill and encouraging Americans to speak out against it.

National Right to Life called physician-assisted suicide a “form of cultural and medical abandonment,” warning in a statement that it “gives doctors the right in law to be involved with causing the deaths of their patients.” The group encouraged Illinois residents to contact Pritzker’s office (at 312-814-2121 or 312-814-2122) in opposition.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, called on Catholics to pray that Pritzker rejects the bill, which he views as a step deeper into a culture of death.

“It is quite fitting that the forces of the culture of death in the Illinois General Assembly passed physician-assisted suicide on October 31 — a day that, culturally, has become synonymous with glorifying death and evil,” Bishop Paprocki said in a statement. “It's also ironic that these pro-death legislators did it under the cloud of darkness at 2:54 a.m.”

“Make no mistake: killing oneself is not dying with dignity,” Bishop Paprocki added. “Doctors take an oath to do no harm. Now, they can prescribe death.” 

He warned that legalizing assisted suicide would endanger vulnerable patients and erode respect for life. 

“There are documented cases of patients being denied treatment and instead offered life-ending drugs,” he said. “Individuals could also be coerced into taking the lethal drug. Physician assisted suicide undermines the value of each person, especially the vulnerable, the poor, and those with disabilities.” 

Bishop Paprocki called on Catholics to pray that Pritzker rejects the measure, saying Illinois “should be a state that offers compassion, care, and hope — not death — as the answer to human suffering.”