Illinois § 5

§ 5.

Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds the following: (1) Diabetes is a serious chronic disease in which the pancreas does not make insulin (Type 1) or the body cannot use insulin properly (Type 2). (2) Diabetes must be managed 24 hours a day to avoid the potentially life-threatening, short-term consequences of low blood sugar and prevent or delay the serious complications caused by blood sugar levels that are too high for too long, such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, blindness, kidney failure, amputation, and stroke. (3) Federal law affords people with diabetes specific rights and protections. These laws include Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. (4) Federal laws enforced consistently in schools provide students with diabetes equal educational opportunities and a healthy and safe environment. (5) A school nurse is the most appropriate person in a school setting to provide for all students' healthcare needs; however, a school nurse may not be available when needed, and many schools do not have a full-time nurse. (6) Many students are capable of checking their blood glucose levels, calculating a carbohydrate-to-insulin ratio, and administering insulin independently. Allowing capable students to manage diabetes independently in school is consistent with the recommendations of pediatric endocrinologists and certified diabetes educators and other specialists. (7) Because appropriate and consistent diabetes care decreases the risks of serious short-term and long-term complications, increases a student's learning opportunities, and promotes individual and public health benefits, the General Assembly deems it in the public interest to enact this Act. (Source: P.A. 96-1485, eff. 12-1-10.)