CHICAGO — Terminally ill adults in Illinois may have the option to take life-ending medication prescribed by a physician under a bill passed by the Illinois legislature last week during its fall session.

Advocates for the bill say it is rooted in compassion and will bring agency to already dying people in the last stages of life, while opponents cite religious concerns and potential harm to vulnerable populations.

The Senate voted 30-27 to pass Senate Bill 1950 in the early morning hours on Oct. 31 after the House passed it 63-42 in May. The legislation needs only the governor’s signature to become law and, if signed, would take effect after nine months.

The bill received support from advocates like Suzy Flack, formerly of Chicago, who has pushed for the legislation in honor of he

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