Rep. D’Amico Supports Proposal to Allow 16 and 17 Year Olds to Register as Organ Donors

CHICAGO – Working to help save the lives of individuals waiting on the state’s organ transplant list, state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, voted for legislation that aims to decrease waiting times for individuals needing organ transplants by allowing residents 16 years and older to legally register as organ donors.

“This proposal will help save lives,” D’Amico said. “By allowing more folks onto the organ donor registry, we can help reduce the backlog of people that are waiting for a life-saving transplant.”

D’Amico voted for House Bill 1805, which passed out of the House Transportation: Vehicles and Safety Committee, last week. The proposal allows 16 and 17 year olds to register on the state’s organ donor list; currently individuals must be at least 18 years old.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, approximately 4,700 people are on the organ donor waiting list and about 300 people die each year waiting for an organ transplant. The proposal is expected to add roughly 250,000 residents that could be eligible to become organ donors.

“As chairman of the Transportation: Vehicles and Transportation Committee, I am proud to have helped shepherd this proposal through committee,” D’Amico said. “Not everyday are we able to create laws that will literally save lives. I look forward to continuing to work to help pass this legislation through the full House.”

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.