Grant Brings EpiPens to All Deputies in Illinois County

Dec. 28--After inspiring a law that allows police officers to administer a life-saving drug to someone having an allergic reaction, an Elmhurst foundation is funding a program that will put EpiPens in every DuPage County sheriff's squad car and in first-aid kits around the county courthouse.

The Annie LeGere Foundation -- named for a 13-year-old girl who died in August 2015 after a severe reaction to an unknown food allergy -- is donating $40,000 to the DuPage County sheriff's office, officials announced Tuesday. The donation will pay for EpiPens, a device that delivers a dose of epinephrine to someone who is struggling to breath during an allergic reaction. The drug reverses airway swelling and is known to be the first line of defense for anaphylaxis.

Police officers, unlike paramedics, have not been allowed to administer the drug, despite often being the first to respond to allergy emergencies. But as of Jan. 1, 2017, the Annie LeGere Law changes that, and the DuPage County sheriff's office will be the first in the state to begin a program, officials said. The law was approved earlier this year.

Col. Frank Bibbiano said the sheriff's office hopes to distribute the injectors in mid- to late January. The initiative also includes training on using the devices, he said, but officers already received instruction during routine first-aid training.

While it's unclear yet what the total cost will be, Bibbiano said officials plan to pass along any leftover funds to other area police departments that need help paying for the drug. Several in the county have expressed an interest in implementing similar programs soon, he said.

"It's important to be able to save people's lives," Bibbiano said. "Law enforcement is in a position to help people ... and we're put in that position quite frequently. It's not uncommon to get a (911) call and a squad car is right around the corner."

Shelly LeGere started the foundation in her daughter's name shortly after Annie died, and began pushing to change the law. Police officers were first to reach Annie following a 911 call after she started having trouble breathing at a sleepover party. But the officers were not equipped with EpiPens.

LeGere said she hoped for swift action by legislators and police to prevent future deaths.

"If you let things go too long, people don't remember the importance or the devastation," she said. "Hopefully now that DuPage County sheriff's (office) is willing to take the lead, other towns will follow."

LeGere said she decided to donate to the sheriff's office after hearing it was already looking into implementing the new law. Her foundation has also made smaller donations to a food allergy education program. The foundation is supported through donations and fundraising events.

Along with helping police departments that don't have the funds to equip their officers with the drug, LeGere said she's also hoping to help individuals who cannot afford a supply of EpiPens.

kthayer@chicagotribune.com

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