The Illinois Living Will is a declaration of one’s personal choices regarding medical treatment at the time of incapacitation. Whether you are in good health or your health is declining, it is never a bad idea to preemptively affirm your desired protocol for situations involving end-of-life care. This particular form comes equipped with a default statement essentially denying the use of life-sustaining procedures when facing an irreversible condition where death is imminent (as determined by a health care professional). All that is necessitated for the document is the date of execution, details concerning the declarant (name, DOB, & address), and their signature accompanied by the endorsements of two (2) testifying witnesses.

Laws

Statutes – Illinois Living Will Act (755 ILCS 35)

Definition – “Declaration” means a witnessed document in writing, in a hard copy or electronic format, voluntarily executed by the declarant in accordance with the requirements of Section 3 (755 ILCS 35/2(b)).

Statutory Form – 755 ILCS 35/3(e)

Signing Requirements – Declarant must sign in the presence of two (2) witnesses (755 ILCS 35/3(b)).

Revocation – 755 ILCS 35/5