Illinois Valley Times

Illinois state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) has good reason for being one of the most vocal lawmakers in Springfield in supporting a law that now requires stricter reporting and investigative requirements in situations where an infant has died suddenly and unexpectedly.

“This bill came to me from a constituent of mine who lost her son to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in 2013 and now runs a foundation to advocate for SIDS awareness," Rezin told the Illinois Valley Times. "Losing a child like this has to be extremely devastating, which is why after I heard story I knew I had to help in her efforts to prevent these kinds of deaths in the future."

Senate Bill 1568 also requires coroners to conduct an autopsy following a death investigation as well as list any environmental factors that may have contributed to the child’s death on their report. State Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Pontiac) was also a key sponsor of the bill.

Currently, Rezin argues too many infant deaths are simply listed as SIDS when other factors may have also been critical. The new law will also require the Department of Public Health to publicly publish current data that it receives from coroner reports.

“This is an important bill that impacts families during an extremely sensitive time and will help provide more complete information about what happened,” Bennett added in a press release. “This bill will help promote awareness in how to take care of infants.”

Rezin recently announced she plans to challenge U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) in the 14th Congressional District in 2020 with a goal of restoring “mainstream, conservative representation to the Midwestern congressional district.”

She has identified high property taxes, health care and the need for lowering prescription drug prices and the need for infrastructure as some of the biggest issues.

Veteran state Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) and state Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) have also announced challenges to Underwood in the district.