Legislation allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to become organ and tissue donors was signed by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. Senator Napoleon Harris, D-Harvey, was a chief sponsor of the bill (House Bill 1805) that passed during this spring’s session.

“Up until now, 16-year-olds and 17-year-old have been unable to sign up as organ donors when they get their first driver’s license,” Senator Harris said. “By allowing these teens to become part of the registry, it will save lives across Illinois and the nation. One person’s organs and tissues can be donated to save the lives of many people.”

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SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) released the following statement following the override of Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation that would provide equity in the way the state funds education:

“We are on the brink of enacting historical legislation that would fix the way we fund schools in Illinois. Our state’s inequitable formula has failed the students of our state for decades, and today I voted to change that because I refuse to keep failing.

This measure takes into account the real cost of educating a child and provides a path for providing the proper resources to achieve that goal. Our educators need certainty to plan for and deliver the world class education our students deserve.”