By Greg Halbleib
SPRINGFIELD – Organ and tissue donors in Illinois can now be as young as 16 years old under a measure signed today by Governor Rauner.
The Drive for Life Act allows 16- and 17-year-olds to give consent to be organ donors when they receive their Illinois driver’s license or ID. State Representative Dan Brady of Bloomington was a chief co-sponsor of the measure:
“In my former position as McLean County coroner and presently serving as a board member of Gift of Hope, I know first-hand the importance of having that discussion with your son or daughter, your 16- or 17-year-old, especially the new drivers, about the importance and their feelings and their wishes about organ and tissue donation,” Brady said during a signing ceremony in Springfield.
Parents and guardians have the right to revoke the consent until the child turns 18. Illinois joins 47 other states that allow 16- and 17-year-olds to give consent to become organ donors.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at greg@wjbc.com.
