Holmes legislation empowering terminally ill adults to consider end-of-life options passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Linda Holmes’ two-year pursuit to allow terminally ill adults in Illinois to choose to end their suffering on their own terms was passed by the Illinois State Senate Friday.

Senate Bill 1950 would allow a qualified patient with a terminal disease to request a physician to prescribe aid-in-dying medication, allowing the patient to end their own life in a peaceful manner, if and when, they choose.

“I lost both of my parents to terminal cancers, and can’t forget the helpless feeling of being unable to relieve their suffering,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This measure is about allowing qualified, terminally ill patients an option to consider ending their pain and distress.”

The bill would include multiple specific measures to ensure a patient is eligible for the program, and protect them from potential coercion by anyone who may attempt to take advantage of the patient. It would let adults who are 18 or older – whose terminal illness diagnosis gives them six months or less to live – to receive prescribed medicine to end their lives.

Patients would be assessed by physicians and mental health professionals to ensure they are of sound mind, and only the patient can request this aid – not a surrogate, proxy or via an advance health directive. Under Senate Bill 1950, no physician, health care provider or pharmacist would be required to participate in the law.

Senate Bill 1950 passed the Senate and heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

Holmes alarmed at federal government’s plan to strip food assistance to 1.9 million Illinois residents next week

• Illinois food assistance
• Federal SNAP cuts
• Children, Elders, Persons with Disabilities

AURORA –The U.S. Department of Agriculture informed states two weeks ago it would not fund the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program – also known as SNAP – unless the federal government reopens. According to State Senator Linda Holmes, this means 1.9 million Illinois residents – including nearly 22,000 in the 42^nd District -- are at risk of losing food assistance benefits starting Nov. 1.

SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious food essential to their health and well-being. Nearly half of Illinois’ SNAP households have older adults, children or a person with a disability, and more than 44,000 veterans rely on the program for food assistance. It also supports more than 18,000 jobs in significant sectors of the economy from grocers, farmers and manufacturers, to transportation and municipal services, nearing $1 billion in Illinois wages.

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Holmes announces $132.5 million in infrastructure improvements coming to the 42nd District

AURORA – Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes announced that the 42^nd Senate District is set to receive over $132.5 million for improvements to local roads and bridges as part of the state’s ongoing multi-year construction plan.

“As our area continues to see significant growth, these investments will help serve our needs and equip our economy for the future,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “Investing in our communities is essential to helping our economy continue to move forward.”

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Local literacy programs to receive $140,000 with Holmes’ backing

• Adult Literacy Programs
• Illinois Secretary of State

AURORA - Thanks to advocacy from State Senator Linda Holmes, adult literacy programs in Aurora and St. Charles will receive $140,504 in grant funding to support community efforts to improve literacy.

“Libraries and their programs provide significant resources to people of all ages to boost their reading, writing and speaking skills,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “Their future education and professional goals can be brighter through participating in these programs.”

The funds, awarded by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, included more than $28 million for library services and literacy programs throughout the state. In Holmes’ district, the programs receiving funds include the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora and Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley, based in St. Charles.

A full list of awardees can be found here.