South Cook News

The Illinois Family Institute recently celebrated that a bill requiring health care professionals to report immunization records to a statewide data registry is "dead for this year" thanks in part to the thousands of witness slips filed by Illinois citizens that were opposed to it.

Proposed by Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Highwood), HB4244 would have implemented a state-run database of immunization records reported by all doctors, pharmacies, hospitals, and medical centers. There is currently an immunization registry in place in the state, but it is optional.

More than 10,000 witness slips were filed in opposition to HB4244 on the grounds that it would invade medical privacy, Madison St. Clair Record reported. The slips filed in opposition called the legislation "unconstitutional," "wrong," and "another step in a wrong and terrifying direction." 

"Good news! HB 4244, the bill that would have created a vaccine data registry by forcing doctors to provide your vaccine records to the Department of Public Health, is dead for this year," Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David E. Smith said. "It was put into a subcommittee graveyard before it ever got a hearing in the Human Services Committee to which it was assigned."

"Thousands filed witness slips and contacted their legislators to oppose the bill," Smith said. "Even those who had already filed witness slips did so again when it appeared that many had been removed. We are still looking into that issue, but may never get to the bottom of it. The fact is, they heard your voices loud and clear! YOU made this defeat possible when YOU took action! This is exactly how 'We the People' should work. Thank you for partnering with us on this important issue and congratulations!"

According to its Facebook page, the Illinois Family Institute is a 'non-profit ministry dedicated to upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life and liberty in Illinois.'