August 26, 2008
To the Honorable Members of the
Illinois Senate
95th General Assembly
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 2685, entitled AN ACT concerning education., with the following specific recommendations for change:
on page 1, line 5, after 3-11, by inserting and by adding Section 2-3.148; and
on page 1, immediately below line 5, by inserting the following:
(105 ILCS 5/2-3.148 new)
Sec. 2-3.148. Food allergy guidelines.
(a) Not later than July 1, 2009, the State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Public Health, shall develop and make available to each school board guidelines for the management of students with life-threatening food allergies. The guidelines shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:
(1) education and training for school personnel on the management of students with life-threatening food allergies, including training related to the administration of medication with a cartridge injector;
(2) procedures for responding to life-threatening allergic reactions to food;
(3) a process for the implementation of individualized health care and food allergy action plans for every student with a life-threatening food allergy; and
(4) protocols to prevent exposure to food allergens.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2010, each school board shall implement a policy based on the guidelines developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section for the management of students with life-threatening food allergies enrolled in the schools under its jurisdiction..
With these changes, Senate Bill 2685 will have my approval. I respectfully request your concurrence.
Sincerely,
ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH
Governor