Springfield, IL – As a new member of the Illinois Senate, Senator Darby Hills (R-Barrington Hills) proudly passed her first piece of legislation — the Tracking Infectious Cases Knowledgeably (TICK) Act — aimed at strengthening public health protections and ensuring families have access to vital information about a growing health threat: alpha-gal syndrome.
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction triggered by a tick bite. For those affected, something as routine as eating a hamburger can result in a medical emergency. The condition is rapidly spreading, yet remains widely underdiagnosed and misunderstood, even within the medical community.
“This is about making sure families feel supported, informed, and protected — and that their health concerns are taken seriously,” said Senator Hills. “For too long, rare but serious conditions like alpha-gal syndrome have gone underreported. That changes today.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently identified Illinois as one of the states with the highest prevalence of AGS in the nation. In 2024 alone, more than 250 cases were recorded in Illinois health records. Yet, no information about AGS is available on the Department of Public Health’s website, and many physicians have never been trained to recognize it.
“People are suffering for years without a diagnosis because doctors don’t know what to look for,” said Hills. “That’s unacceptable. The TICK Act gives our healthcare system the tools it needs to respond.”
HB 1754, sponsored by Senator Hills, requires the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to adopt clear rules for reporting and tracking cases of alpha-gal syndrome. It also directs IDPH to develop educational materials, support clinician training, and launch a public awareness campaign to help patients and providers recognize the signs early.
“Protecting people’s health is one of the most important things we can do as lawmakers,” Hills added. “I’m honored to have passed my first bill with that mission at the heart of it.”
The TICK Act ensures that confirmed cases of alpha-gal syndrome are reported to local health departments and the state, enabling IDPH to monitor statewide trends and share findings publicly in a timely and accessible way.
The measure passed both chambers with bipartisan support and is on its way to the Governor’s desk.
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