SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Monday to help students and families better understand the signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.
The Illinois State Board of Education will work with the Illinois Department of Public Health to create informational resources about the disease and put the materials online. Public and charter schools will also display this information on their websites.
Sponsors said many children and their families are unaware of the symptoms and treatment, even though more than 30,000 children across the country have Type 1 diabetes.
"There is a rise in children of factors of Type 1 diabetes and we think it's important that they and their parents are more familiar with the warning signs so that they can contact their doctor and take action as needed," said Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg).
The informational materials must include a description of the screening process for Type 1 diabetes and the implications of test results.
Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) said this law can be a lifeline to give children guidance toward better self-care and resilience.
"When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, their parents are often left worried and not knowing where to turn," Sims said. "A one stop shop that contains education and treatment options will go a long way to help parents navigate the unfamiliar."
Senate Bill 3473 took effect immediately.
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