Epi Pen Legislation Moves to Illinois Senate for a Vote

Children with severe allergies may soon have a life-saving medication at their disposal in school.

State Rep. Chris Nybo (R-41st, Elmhurst) sponsored House Bill 3294. The bill would allow public and private school nurses to administer epinephrine (via “epi pens”) to students suffering from anaphylactic shock, a deadly reaction to food allergies.

“With so many children, including my own, having serious food allergies, this bill reasonably expands the availability of life-saving medication in our schools,” Nybo said in a press release. “Kids are obviously around food and other allergens in our schools, so having epinephrine readily available is a big step forward in helping those students with known and unknown allergies.”

The legislation would also allow schools to keep epi pens for students who are authorized to self-administer the dosage during a reaction, and for students who have a medical plan in place to allow any school personnel to administer the epi pen.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan drafted the legislation with Nybo.

“Allowing schools to have epi pens on hand is a simple yet crucial safety measure that can prevent tragedy,” she said.

According to the Journal of Pediatrics, one in four cases of childhood anaphylaxis occurs in children who were not previously diagnosed with a severe allergy. The Journal found that 25 percent of first reactions among children allergic to peanuts or tree nuts occurred while they were in school.

HB 3294 now moves to the Senate for a vote.