Overview
- A federal judge approved a stipulated temporary restraining order on Friday, Sept. 11, exempting Cardinal Blase Cupich, two orders of nuns, a pharmacist and affiliated Catholic health entities from specified duties under the End‑of‑Life Options law.
- The law commonly called Deb's Law went into effect for the public on Sept. 12 with rules that only terminal adults confirmed by two physicians can request self‑administered aid‑in‑dying medication after waiting‑period and capacity checks.
- Illinois agreed to the stipulated TRO, which prevents state agencies from disciplining the named plaintiffs or their institutions for refusing to perform or participate in parts of the law while the court decides a preliminary injunction.
- The plaintiffs say the statute still requires objecting providers to inform patients of the option, refer them or transfer prescriptions and requires pharmacists to fill such prescriptions, which they argue violates religious‑freedom and compelled‑speech protections.
- A decision on a broader preliminary injunction is pending and a separate disability‑rights challenge was earlier dismissed for lack of standing, so future rulings could either expand exemptions or uphold access and safeguards for vulnerable patients.