Illinois agrees to pause enforcement of assisted suicide mandate against Catholics, religious objectors
Caroline MolloyIllinois officials have agreed temporarily not to enforce portions of the state’s new assisted-suicide law against several religious objectors, including Springfield Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, a Lutheran care facility and four Catholic physicians.
U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama entered the stipulated temporary restraining order Aug. 21 in the Northern District of Illinois. The plaintiffs filed their lawsuit Aug. 11 challenging provisions of Illinois’ End of Life Options Act, which was signed in December 2025 and is scheduled to take effect Sept. 12.
The plaintiffs argue that provisions of the law would require health care professionals with religious and conscience objections to discuss assisted suicide with patients, make referrals involving providers who participate in assisted suicide, or permit employees to assist patients in obtaining lethal drugs.
Under the temporary agreement, Illinois will not enforce the challenged provisions against the named plaintiffs or Catholic health care ministries operating under Bishop Paprocki’s authority while the litigation continues.
The protection is expected to remain in place as the courts consider the plaintiffs’ request for longer-term relief and related questions involving religious conscience protections.
