Fighting for the right to die: Terminally ill Lombard woman continues push for medical ‘aid in dying’ bill

The Illinois House recently passed a medical aid in dying bill that, if approved by the Senate, could give terminally ill patients, like Deb Robertson of Lombard, a choice in how they die. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com

Deb Robertson isn’t giving up on state legislation that would give terminally ill patients like herself the option to end their lives with medical assistance.

The Lombard woman, who was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2022, has spent much of the last 2½ years lobbying lawmakers to pass a medical aid in dying bill in Illinois.

The measure, which recently passed the Illinois House by a 63 to 42 vote, would allow terminally ill adults, like Robertson, an option in how they die. Under the proposed bill, a patient with six months or less to live could opt to take a prescri