July 30, 2010

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois House of Representatives,

96^th General Assembly

I hereby return House Bill 6065 with a specific recommendation for change.

House Bill 6065 makes significant changes in the way students with diabetes are cared for in schools.  Diabetes care plans outline the proper treatment for students, delegated care aides are given the ability to execute these plans, and students are given the ability to self-administer medication.  All of these changes are positives ones that make significant strides towards ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students with diabetes.

Although I commend the sponsors for their hard work in advancing this important legislation, I believe that it is unwise to take a piecemeal approach to the care of students with chronic illness.  Students with diseases like asthma and epilepsy deserve to have the same protection under the law as students with diabetes.  By delaying the effective date of this bill, families, advocates, and legislators will have the opportunity to work together to craft a comprehensive solution for students with all types of chronic illnesses.  By doing so, we can finally eliminate the patchwork of regulations that confuse families across Illinois and make sure that students with all types of chronic illness are able to learn in a safe, health environment.

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 6065, entitled “AN ACT concerning education.”, with the following specific recommendation for change:

          On page 9, by replacing lines 21 and 22 with:

                   “Section 99.  Effective Date.  This Act takes effect on June 1, 2011.”.

With this change, House Bill 6065 will have my approval. I respectfully request your concurrence.

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor