SPRINGFIELD – For the parents of children with life-threatening allergies, every outing carries a level of anxiety that other families never have to consider. Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is easing that burden by passing a measure to modernize Illinois law to recognize all FDA-approved epinephrine treatments.

“Parents should feel confident that when they drop their child off at school, at camp, or at an after-school program, the people responsible for their child's safety have access to whatever form of epinephrine works best,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). "Severe allergic reactions don't wait.”

House Bill 3454 would update current Illinois statute — covering schools, law enforcement, after-school programs, camps, home health care and health insurance — to replace the outdated term "epinephrine injector" with "epinephrine delivery device." This change would align state law with the FDA-approved treatments that exist today. The change would ensure that institutions and caregivers across Illinois are not legally restricted to needle-based injectors when newer options, like the epinephrine nasal spray Neffy, are available and approved for use.

“Our laws should never be the reason a school nurse, a coach, or a first responder hesitates,” said Glowiak Hilton. “House Bill 3454 removes that barrier and makes sure every approved tool is on the table when someone's life is on the line."

House Bill 3454 passed the Senate Thursday.