SPRINGFIELD — Earlier this month, Secretary of State Jesse White initiated legislation that would allow 16- and 17- year-olds to register for the state’s First Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry when they receive their driver’s license or identification card.
The legislation, also known as Senate Bill 868, was introduced by state Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) and state Rep. Deb Conroy ((D-Villa Park).
“Our goal is always to save lives,” White said. “Thousands of Illinoisans are waiting for an organ. Many of those who wait are someone’s mother, father, daughter or son. This legislation, which the vast majority of other states have implemented, is an important step in reducing the number of those on the waiting list.”
Just last week the Illinois Senate’s Public Health Committee approved the bill. It now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
The legislation amends the Illinois Anatomical Gift Act allowing 16- and 17- year-olds to join the First Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry.
Under current law, an individual must be at least 18 years old to join the registry. Those who join the registry will receive a letter from the Secretary of State’s office thanking them for joining. White encourages 16- and 17-year-olds to use this letter as a basis for discussing their decision with their parents.
Local high school
students
Locally, students at Rochelle Township High School weighed in. Several in David Cartwright’s Current Events class shared their views.

“Although there are many personal beliefs about younger organ donations, I personally believe that this state law is a good thing because many more people on the donor transplant lists can get new organs now,” Caroline Reidenbach, RTHS student said. “People think that teens can’t make this decision properly, but I think that teens can make this decision. My personal opinion is that this law is good, and many lives will be saved because of it.”
Student Ashley Kerns based her opinions after researching and reading articles on the proposed law. Kerns stated she believes not only will more lives be saved, but also there is “a better chance that the organs that can be donated are healthier.” Kerns also said a donor “leaves a legacy.”
“According to Mayo Clinic there is a 21 percent organ rejection rate. That number would go down if the organs that are getting donated are healthier or in better shape,” Kerns said. “There would be a better chance of having a healthier organ if 16 and 17 year olds would be able to become an organ donor without their parents’ permission.”
Student Alexis Bialas said she believes people younger than 18 should be “fully educated on the entire process” before they are able to register to be an organ donor.
“Organ donation is an honorable act to take part in. However many people under the age of 18 have troubles making wise decisions because of the amount of life experiences that they have been through,” Bialas said. “[Potential donors] should know about the rare but true accidents that have happened during organ donation, how the organ transplant list operates, and everything that can be donated after a person passes away. Children from the ages 16 to 18 years old should be able to become an organ donor as long as they have taken the steps to become educated.”
More on the organ
donor registry
By joining the First Person Consent Organ/Tissue Door Registry, 16- and 17-year-olds will be giving consent to donate their organs and tissue at the time of their death, with a single limitation. The procurement organizations, Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue network and Mid-America Transplant, must make a reasonable effort to contact a parent or guardian to ensure that they approve of the donation. The parent of guardian will have the opportunity to overturn the child’s decision. Once the 16- or 17-year-old turns 18, his/her decision would be considered legally binding without limitation.
There are 47 states that have enacted this legislation including Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New York, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
In 2016, 121,553 16-year-olds and 132,852 17-year-olds were issued driver’s licenses as well as 41,250 16-year-olds and 54,362 17-year-olds were issued identification cards.
“Choosing to give life to another is a wonderful gift,” said state Sen. Hunter. “I’m proud to help work to end the waiting for the thousands across our state.”
“As the wife of someone who is in need of an organ, I believe that this legislation works to expand those who choose to give to this life-giving program,” said state Rep. Conroy, who is planning on donating her kidney to her husband. “Others who are waiting may never receive their gift without those who say ‘yes’ to organ/tissue donation.”
“Currently there are thousands of people waiting for lifesaving organ transplants in Illinois. This new legislation could potentially help save lives across the state,” said Diane Brockmeier, president and CEO of Mid-America Transplant, a federally designated organ procurement organization serving 28 counties in southern Illinois.
Approximately 4,700 people are on the waiting list and about 300 people die each year waiting for an organ transplant. One person can improve the quality of life for up to 25 people. Currently, 6.1 million Illinoisans are registered with the state’s registry.
Illinoisans can register with the Secretary of State’s Organ/Tissue Donor Registry at LifeGoesOn.com, by calling 1-800-210-2106 or visiting their local Driver Services facility.