Pritzker signs controversial ‘medical aid in dying’ law, allowing physician

(WIFR) - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Medical Aid in Dying bill Friday, which allows certain terminally ill people to seek medication and end their own lives.

Leaders say the legislation is designed to expand compassionate end of life options. Under the law, no physician, health care provider or pharmacist is required to participate in the option and the law makes it a felony to coerce anyone to request the medication or forge a request.

Patients who qualify under the law must:

Be age 18 or older

Have a terminal illness that will result in death within six months as determined by two physicians

Be informed by their physician about all of their end-of-life care options, including comfort care, hospice, palliative care and pain control

Have the mental capacity, confirmed by the