Safe at School

Illinois

About this information:
This information was prepared by the Legal Advocacy division of the American Diabetes Association® (ADA), a national leader in diabetes information and advocacy. This information covers state rules on diabetes care in Illinois schools, and may not include all the relevant rules and important details. While ADA strives to provide current information, laws and resources can frequently change. This information is not legal advice and professional legal advice should be sought as needed.

1. Does Illinois allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?

Yes. If a school has a student with diabetes, all school employees, including employees at private and charter schools, must be trained in the basics of diabetes care. In addition, some school staff may be trained by health professionals to perform all aspects of diabetes care, including insulin administration:

“(b) Delegated care aides shall be trained to perform the tasks necessary to assist a student with diabetes in accordance with his or her diabetes care plan, including training to do the following: […] (4) estimate the number of carbohydrates in a snack or lunch; (5) administer insulin according to the student's diabetes care plan and keep a record of the amount administered” […] 105 ILCS 145/25.

The staff must consult with parents about insulin administration changes. 105 ILCS 145/20.

2. Does Illinois allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon?

Yes. A health care professional may train school staff to perform all aspects of diabetes care, including administering glucagon:

“(b) Delegated care aides shall be trained to […] respond in an emergency, including how to administer glucagon and call 911.” 105 ILCS 145/25.

Illinois also allows schools to stock an emergency supply of glucagon. 

“A school may maintain a supply of glucagon in any secure location that is immediately accessible to a school nurse or a delegated care aide. […] Any supply of undesignated glucagon must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. A school nurse or delegated care aide may administer undesignated glucagon if he or she is authorized to administer the undesignated glucagon through a student's diabetes care plan and if the student's prescribed glucagon is not available on-site or has expired.” 105 ILCS 145/27

3. Does Illinois allow students to self-manage diabetes care at school, anytime and anywhere?

Yes. Students with a diabetes care plan can perform all aspects of diabetes care, and in any area on the school grounds.

“[…] A student shall be permitted to do the following: (1) check blood glucose when and wherever needed; (2) administer insulin with the insulin delivery system used by the student; (3) treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and otherwise attend to the care and management of his or her diabetes in the classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds and at any school-related activity or event in accordance with the diabetes care plan.” 105 ILCS 145/30.

4. Does Illinois allow students to carry diabetes supplies like needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?

Yes. Students with diabetes care plans can carry all diabetes care supplies with them.

“[…] A student shall be permitted to do the following: (4) possess on his or her person, at all times, the supplies and equipment necessary to monitor and treat diabetes, including, but not limited to, glucometers, lancets, test strips, insulin, syringes, insulin pens and needle tips, insulin pumps, infusion sets, alcohol swabs, a glucagon injection kit, glucose tablets, and food and drink, in accordance with the diabetes care plan.” 105 ILCS 145/30.

5. Does Illinois allow a school to transfer students to a different school because of their diabetes care needs?

No. A school may not assign a student to a different school because the student has diabetes.

“A school district shall not restrict the assignment of a student with diabetes to a particular school on the basis that the school does not have a full-time school nurse, nor shall a school deny a student access to any school or school-related activities on the basis that a student has diabetes.” 105 ILCS 145/35.

5. Does Illinois allow students with diabetes to carry cellphones or smart devices for medical purposes?

Illinois currently does not have any statewide cellphone restrictions or bans for schools. However, individual schools or districts may create their own policies. If your child is having challenges with cell phone access at school, please contact us at 1-800-DIABETES or email AskADA@diabetes.org. Additional resources can be found on our Safe at School homepage. 

Resources:
For more information, see the following resources:

Additional Safe at School resources are available at diabetes.org/safeatschool. To receive information and guidance about a school diabetes care issue, contact 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or AskADA@diabetes.org.