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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
URGING THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO SUPPORT HB105/SB868, “THE DRIVE FOR LIFE ACT”
WHEREAS, more than 4,700 Illinoisans wait for lifesaving organ donations, with one Illinois resident added to the transplant list every 10 minutes; and
WHEREAS, 300 Illinoisans - nearly one per day - die every year while waiting for life-saving transplants; and
WHEREAS, Illinois is one of only three states that does not provide the opportunity for 16 and 17-year-olds to register their wishes to become organ and tissue donors; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Secretary of State manages the First Person Consent organ and tissue donor registry for the state of Illinois and is partnering with Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network to provide 16 and 17-year-olds with the opportunity to register as organ and tissue donors; and
WHEREAS, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is a not-for-profit organ procurement organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation and provides public education on donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners supports the Illinois Secretary of State and Gift of Hope in their partnership to increase the number of registered organ donors to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Board of Commissioners urges its elected officials and staff, and the State’s Attorney Office, Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office and Cook County Health Department to support and be champions of organ and tissue donation so lives can be saved and enhanced; and
WHEREAS, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County and the Cook County Health and Hospitals System are strong supporters of organ and tissue donation and proper care of potential organ and tissue donors; and
WHEREAS, HB1805/SB868 expands Illinois’ organ and tissue donor registry to include 16 and 17-year-olds to help meet that mission;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners supports HB1805/SB868 to help save more lives through organ and tissue donation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be shared with the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor’s Office.
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