Illinois citizens concerned about vaccine policy are waiting for SB 1304 to be called in the last week of their state’s legislative session.  SB 1304 would bar members of the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee from having financial conflicts of interest with pharmaceutical companies that produce vaccines. Public awareness of several members of the policy-advising council having financial ties to companies such as Merck and Smith-Kline-Beecham (some in excess of $40,000 annually) fueled the need for SB 1304.  SB 1304 would end this conflict, thereby alleviating some of the public concern with this committee’s recommendations.  The Illinois Department of Public Health has the sole authority to determine which vaccinations will be mandated to the Illinois public, and the Immunization Advisory Committee advises the Director on these issues.

Illinois also awaits Governor George Ryan’s signature on SB 1305, a bill that would remove vaccination refusal or delay from medical neglect or abuse investigations by the Department of Children and Family Services.  The Department of Children and Family Services testified twice on behalf of the legislation, asking that they be removed from investigating families who fail to vaccinate based on religious or medical exemptions.

Fran Eaton

State President

Eagle Forum of Illinois

PO Box 233 Oak Forest, IL  60452

www.ileagles.net