Press Release: Gov. signs Cross’ bill to create Special Needs Alert Act

July 22, 2010 

Gov. signs Cross’ bill to create Special Needs Alert Act

HB5669 goes into effect immediately 

Springfield…Illinois residents with special needs will soon be able to voluntarily register their disabilities when they sign up for their drivers’ license or Illinois identification card with the Secretary of State’s office.  If they choose to do this, information regarding their medical needs will be available to law enforcement officials when they come in contact with these individuals in their motor vehicles. 

Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) sponsored House Bill 5669 after a constituent contacted him with an issue he had during a traffic stop. “This individual was pulled over for a routine traffic stop, and in the process, had a diabetic seizure,” explained Cross.  “At first, the officer who pulled this person over thought the individual was being non-compliant and was possibly under the influence of alcohol or some other drug. Fortunately, the officer quickly realized there was a medical situation and called for the appropriate emergency responders.” 

Cross wanted to make sure that the voluntary information about medical conditions was available to law enforcement standardized the future for these types of situations to ensure the safety of all involved parties. 

House Bill 5669, which was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn today, creates the Secretary of State Special Needs Alert Act.  This new law allows citizens with disabilities to provide law enforcement an emergency contact information, including disabilities and special needs information necessary to keep people safe and law enforcement aware. 

Law enforcement officers may share information contained in the emergency contact database with other public safety workers on scene, as needed to conduct official law enforcement duties. 

“It’s extremely important that we provide the essential tools that law enforcement officers need in order to prepare and act safely in an emergency situation,” added Cross.