Issues, Etc. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Signs a Bill Legalizing Assisted Suicide – Wesley Smith, 12/15/25 (3493)
Dec 15, 2025
Wesley Smith, a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute and a columnist for National Review, dives into the controversial topic of assisted suicide following its legalization in Illinois. He critiques this move as disgraceful and explores why progressive ideologies support such measures. Smith raises concerns about the slippery slope beyond terminal illness, the erosion of conscience protections, and the potential economic dangers that may arise. He warns of cultural nihilism and advocates for a society that restores dignity and care for all lives.
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State Endorsement Normalizes Suicide
- Wesley J. Smith argues Illinois' law normalizes and endorses some suicides under the state's authority.
- He calls the signing disgraceful and warns it frames suicide as courageous while devaluing natural death.
Autonomy Drives Progressive Support
- Smith traces progressive support for assisted suicide to a radical autonomy ethic that rejects traditional protections.
- He links this to other autonomy-driven policies like gender transition for minors as part of the same cultural shift.
Legalization Expands Beyond Limits
- Smith warns legalization is a launching pad, not a limit, since the logic of killing to end suffering expands beyond terminal cases.
- He notes disability-rights activists oppose it because they become targets of normalization.
