Catholic Church sues Illinois over assisted suicide law

The Catholic Church in Illinois has filed a lawsuit to block the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act (EOLOA). The legal challenge was joined by Chicago’s archbishop, Cardinal Blase Cupich, two orders of Catholic nuns, and an Illinois pharmacist.

The plaintiffs argue that the law, signed by Governor J. B. Pritzker in December 2025, would force Catholic healthcare ministries and religious orders to facilitate assisted suicide, which contradicts their religious teachings on the dignity of life. The law is scheduled to take effect on September 12.

Represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the lawsuit names the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as defendants. Lead attorney Mark Rienzi stated that the state should not force religious providers to participate in assisted suicide and argued that the Constitution protects the freedom to provide care without government-mandated suicide conversations.