SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could help spread awareness about tick-borne illnesses amidst one of the worst seasons for tick bites.

The Illinois TICK Act would specifically address alpha-gal syndrome, which is a potentially life threatening allergic reaction triggered by a tick bite.

Anyone bitten by a Lone Star tick will have an allergy to red meat due to the infection. Some people don't know they have the disease until they go into anaphylactic shock while eating red meat.

Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Woodhull) filed this bill because his mother suffers from the disease.

"She's lived with this now for several years but has never sought treatment because she knows how to control it," Swanson said. "She can't go into McDonald's or a restaurant where they actually fry burgers on an open grill because that aroma will cause the shock that she goes through."

The Illinois Department of Public Health could be required to provide educational materials about alpha-gal data on its website. IDPH has also been asked to create an awareness campaign for community members, local health departments and medical providers on the signs and symptoms of alpha-gal.

"Protecting people's health is one of the most important things we can do as lawmakers," said Sen. Darby Hills (R-Barrington Hills). "I'm honored to have passed my first bill with that mission at the heart of it."

The TICK Act will ensure confirmed cases of alpha-gal syndrome are reported to local health departments and the state. Sponsors believe this change will enable IDPH to monitor statewide trends and share findings publicly in a timely and accessible way.

House Bill 1754 passed unanimously out of the Illinois House and Senate this spring. 

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