Illinois
I’m grateful for Illinois legalizing physician-assisted suicide | Letter
When I became disabled due to a traumatic injury at 17, the first thing I felt was a tremendous loss of control over my life. I’ve worked since then to regain and retain it.
It’s why I embrace the fundamental principle of the independent living movement and the disability rights and justice movement – that all of us have and deserve the right to self-determination and to make our own decisions, including decisions about the services and care we receive.
That is why I am grateful to Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly for passing a new law that legalizes Medical Aid in Dying (SB 1950), the End of Life Options Act.
Death elicits fear. It certainly represents the ultimate loss of control. We all hope that it will be peaceful and without great suffering.
For many of us who have experienced marginalization because of disability or age, poverty, race, and other socially imposed constructs, we fear being devalued or dismissed in decision-making in systems, including in chronic or acute health care situations. This law relates specifically to terminal illness, not chronic or acute care. And disability should not be conflated with terminal illness.
The ability to control the decision-making process in the End of Life Options Act is detailed and robust. It’s a high bar to be eligible to participate.
It requires you to be able to be fully in control of the decision-making process and of the administration of medication, only when you have a prognosis of less than six months or less to live. It requires consultation with at least two different medical professionals. It has strong provisions that prevent anyone from assisting or exerting undue influence, including any person to whom you might have already given health care power of attorney.
Medical aid in dying is a trusted and time-tested medical practice that is part of the full spectrum of end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care. People move across the country to access it. Those with terminal illness who are unable to relocate because of disability or income need the equity that comes from being able to access options where we live.
As someone who has learned to never take it for granted, I want this right to self-determination to extend through the final days of my life if I should face a terminal illness.
I am grateful that Illinois has joined the many other states who support this additional end of life care option for all who are facing terminal illness.
Beth Langen,Springfield
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Combined state and federal taxes would take more than 50% of the top-end income for 22,000 Illinois small businesses.
Proposals in the Illinois General Assembly could slam massive tax hikes onto small businesses, the state’s primary job creator historically and in the recovery from the COVID-19 downturn.
One measure would punish 22,020 Illinois small businesses with a huge increase in their marginal state income tax rate and create a top tax rate of nearly 50.3% for them, once all state and federal income taxes are factored in.
S-corporations and partnerships, which “pass-through” their business income to their owners, who pay taxes as individuals, would see their top marginal state income tax rate jump from 4.95% to 7.95%, a 61% hike.
That would happen because the legislation, House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 21, adds a 3% income tax on income above $1 million. It is scheduled for a hearing April 23 at which it could pass out of committee and go to a potential full House vote.
Research has shown that an increase in the top marginal tax rate is associated with a decrease in entrepreneurs’ hiring activity and lower wages for their employees.
Illinois has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation and among the slowest wage growth. These are exacerbated by some of the highest state and local tax burdens in the nation, including the second-highest property taxes and eighth-highest sales taxes.
In 2017 Illinois residents endured the largest permanent income tax hike in state history, when lawmakers increased the rate by 32%, from 3.75% to 4.95%.
Illinois already pushes out more businesses than virtually any other state. The “millionaire’s tax” could make the situation even worse. Illinoisans should reject this call for higher taxes on the state’s vital small business community.
Contact your state representative to stop the small business tax hike here.
SYCAMORE, Ill. – A Sycamore mother said she is still waiting for justice more than two years after her teenage son was stabbed to death.
The case is back in court this week, where a judge will consider a key request that could change how the case moves forward.
What we know:
A mother said her son’s life was cut short during a confrontation that turned deadly.
Heather Gerken said her 17-year-old son, Kaleb McCall, was stabbed during an incident in September 2023. She said Kaleb agreed to meet another teen for what he believed would be a fist fight while sticking up for a friend.
According to Gerken, the other teen, who was 15 at the time, pulled a knife and stabbed Kaleb in the chest. Kaleb later died from his injuries.
Gerken said a jury later found that teen guilty of second-degree murder after the defense argued he acted in self-defense.
Dig deeper:
The case is not over.
Gerken says the defendant’s attorneys are now trying to move the case out of adult court and into juvenile court. That decision could impact how the teen is ultimately sentenced.
What they’re saying:
Gerken said the legal process has been long and frustrating.
She said the case has stretched on for more than two and a half years and that ongoing court proceedings have made it difficult for her to grieve her son.
“He was everybody’s big brother,” Gerken said. “He had the biggest smile and the sweetest personality. He enjoyed fishing and being outside, and he was the best gift giver. He always got me flowers for every little holiday. Just a very thoughtful boy.”
Gerken also said the possibility of the case moving to juvenile court is especially upsetting, as she continues to push for what she believes is justice for her son.
“I don’t want anybody else’s child to die the way that my son died,” Gerken said. “Caleb is my whole world. I gave birth to him at 17 and he changed my life completely. He made me a better person. He taught me what real love truly is…And I just miss him so much more every day. And just knowing that he died the way he did. It makes me sick.”
What’s next:
The case returns to court Thursday morning.
A judge is expected to determine whether the case remains in adult court or is moved to juvenile court, a decision that could shape what happens next in the case.
The Source: The information in this article was reported by FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi.
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