More School Workers Eligible For Training To Help Kids With Allergic Reactions

John Gregory -- Illinois Radio Network

A new law will allow Illinois schools without nurses to administer medicine to children with severe allergies.

Under the law, school personnel can be trained to administer epinephrine injections, or epi-pens, to kids who are having a severe allergic reaction. Previously, only school nurses could give that medicine to students, and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says that presented a problem.

“Unfortunately, not all schools in the state of Illinois have school nurses,” Madigan said, “and that’s why it was important for us to expand this law to make sure other people can administer.”

Madigan says the training will be relatively simple for the State Board of Education to implement.

Illinois schools are not required to keep epi-pens on hand, but Madigan is hoping to change that through future legislation.