She lived to see ‘Deb’s law’ take effect. Now she can choose how she dies

Deb Robertson became a public advocate for Illinois' medical aid-in-dying law after being diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer.

Illinois' 'Deb's law' took effect on Sept. 12, making it the first Midwestern state and 13th state (plus D.C.) to authorize medically assisted death.

Ebony Payne, a disability advocate, was a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the law, arguing it discriminates against people with disabilities.

Pope Leo XIV urged Gov. JB Pritzker not to sign the bill and later said he was 'very disappointed' it passed.

1997: Oregon becomes the first U.S. state to pass a medical aid-in-dying law. · Recently: New York legalizes medical aid in dying, with the law taking effect in August. · Days before Sept. 12: A judge temporarily blocks enforcement of Illinois' law against Catholic groups that challenged it. · Before Sept. 12: A judge denies a preliminary injunction request in Ebony Payne's lawsuit against the law. · Sept. 12: Illinois' 'Deb's law' takes effect, making the state the 13th to authorize medical aid in dying. · Sunday: Peter Redgrove uses California's assisted-dying law to end his life.

13th states allowing medical aid in dying · 68 Deb Robertson's age · 85 Peter Redgrove's age · 15,000 deaths under U.S. medical aid-in-dying laws since 1997 · 1/3 share of Americans living in a state where the option is legal

A judge denied a request for a preliminary injunction in Payne's lawsuit, ruling she had not proved standing or imminent harm.