Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk were at Lurie Children's Hospital Sunday morning to announce the Senate's passage of the "School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act."
The legislation encourages states to improve schools' access to so-called EpiPens, or epinephrine shots, which can help save a child's life who is having a severe allergic reaction.
"But for these kids the consequences could be terrible," Durbin said. "Their throats can constrict, making it difficult to breathe. And if they don't get help right away, sometimes it can be very, very serious, if not fatal."
"Every year at the end of August, I have to look my son's teachers and principal in the eye and ask them to share the weight of our diagnosis. And generously, they say yes," said parent Bridget Bond.
One out of every 25 children has a food allergy.
The legislation is now headed to President Obama's desk for his signature.
