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Law lets schools give life-saving allergy shot

CHICAGO (AP) - School children with potentially fatal allergies can get help faster because of a new Illinois law.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the law Monday that now allows schools to stock and use shots to help children having severe allergic reactions by giving them an epinephrine injection.

Quinn signed the law at the Chicago school where a 13-year-old girl died last year after having a severe allergic reaction to food.

The Chicago Democrat says the legislation is about protecting lives. He was joined at the bill-signing ceremony by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who praised the legislation as one of the "common-sense things" that can be done to protect children.

The law goes into effect immediately and lets officials at the school administer the allergy shot without fear of liability.

CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

REMINDER...

From the Cairo BOE-CAT Contract:

3.16 Dispensing of Medicine

No employee--except a certified nurse--shall be required to store or administer medication to students. Students shall be referred to proper, designated medical or administrative personnel for this function. The employer shall indemnify and save harmless from any liability any employees who administer medication to students in direct response to an order from supervisory personnel to do so.