Living Will in Illinois
State-specific overview · Estate & Probate
Illinois requires two witnesses or notarization and allows you to name a healthcare agent with broad decision-making power.
How Illinois treats Living Will
Illinois honors living wills under the Health Care Surrogate Act and the Living Will Act. Your document must be signed and either witnessed by two people or notarized. Illinois gives your named healthcare agent authority to make end-of-life decisions consistent with your stated wishes, and the agent's decisions are legally binding on healthcare providers who receive proper notice.
The general definition of Living Will
A document stating your wishes about life-sustaining medical treatment if you become unable to communicate.
A living will (also called an advance directive) is a written statement of your medical preferences if you're ever in a coma, terminal illness, or unable to speak for yourself. You can specify whether you want life support, feeding tubes, or resuscitation. Doctors and family members use it to make decisions that honor your values when you cannot.
Read the full Living Will entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Illinois.