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Pro-life advocates in Illinois are focusing on physician-assisted suicide proposals at the Illinois Pro-Life March in Springfield. The event, organized by Illinois Right to Life, is expected to draw a larger crowd than previous years due to interest in these legislative issues.
Mary Kate Zander, president of Illinois Right to Life, anticipates that the number of participants could nearly double this year. "This is one of those unique issues that it’s not specific to abortion, so we see sort of a variance of people coming out to oppose this bill," Zander told OSV News.
The proposed legislation, known as the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, requires two doctors to diagnose a patient with six months or less to live and assess their mental capacity before administering lethal drugs. The cause of death would be listed as the original illness rather than suicide.
Robert Gilligan from the Catholic Conference of Illinois noted unexpected opposition from some lawmakers who usually have different views on life-related issues. "There are quite a few that are expressing opposition that take a different position on the right to life," he said.
The march will also address bills proposing free abortions for unauthorized immigrant women and increased access to abortion services for students at public universities and colleges.
Father Dominic Rankin will lead the Mass for Life before the march. He emphasized concerns over abortion and assisted suicide, stating these practices devalue life. Father Rankin also expressed worries about in vitro fertilization (IVF), which he described as destructive to embryonic human life.
Against this backdrop, Father Rankin highlighted the importance of promoting a "culture of life" in Illinois. "If you have a really dark room, how many candles does it take to light it? You still only need one candle," he said.
Simone Orendain reports for OSV News from Chicago.
