SPRINGFIELD – To help physicians meet their patients’ wishes, State Senator Julie Morrison championed a law creating a state electronic registry to store treatment preferences for critically ill individuals.

“The type of care a person desires is very personal,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This law recognizes that everyone’s individual wishes should be a priority when it comes to health care.”

Senate Bill 2644 – signed into law last week – establishes a statewide electronic registry through the Secretary of State that will contain Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms, which detail what type of medical treatment a patient does and does not want. POLST forms can help health care practitioners uphold a person’s wishes regarding their care.

In the past, POLST forms could only be maintained in hard copy or electronic format. Morrison’s law establishes a single location to hold all POLST forms, making them easily accessible to qualified health care providers throughout the state.

“A statewide registry that is available to all health care institutions and providers is the best way to make POLST forms accessible when needed most,” said Dr. Julie Goldstein of the Illinois Practitioner Orders For Life-Sustaining Treatment Committee. “Access to POLST forms allows providers to honor the medical decisions of all Illinoisans.”

Senate Bill 2644 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.