Story perspectives

Disability groups sue Illinois, New York over assisted suicide laws

6/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

On June 11, 2026, disability rights groups filed federal lawsuits against Illinois’ and New York’s assisted-suicide statutes.
Illinois’ law, signed by Governor JB Pritzker Dec. 2025, would allow lethal prescriptions from Sep. 2026 while New York’s law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul Feb. 2026, is set for Aug. 5, 2026.
Plaintiffs—including Chicago ADAPT, the Progress Center for Independent Living, Dr. Nooshig Luz Salvador, Ebony Payne and Pam Heavens—assert the statutes violate the ADA, Section 504 and Fourteenth Amendment’s equal-protection clause.

1 of 1

Story summary

On June 11, 2026, disability rights groups filed federal lawsuits against Illinois’ and New York’s assisted-suicide statutes.
Illinois’ law, signed by Governor JB Pritzker Dec. 2025, would allow lethal prescriptions from Sep. 2026 while New York’s law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul Feb. 2026, is set for Aug. 5, 2026.
Plaintiffs—including Chicago ADAPT, the Progress Center for Independent Living, Dr. Nooshig Luz Salvador, Ebony Payne and Pam Heavens—assert the statutes violate the ADA, Section 504 and Fourteenth Amendment’s equal-protection clause.