Rock Island Today

Legislation sponsored by State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) aimed at improving the education of health care professionals on a rare but dangerous condition was signed into law Friday. Senate Bill 1814, one of three bills sponsored by Swanson and signed that day, is intended to help medical workers recognize the signs of Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) and respond quickly.

“AFE can strike suddenly and is extremely dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn child if proper medical care is not quickly administered,” Swanson said. “But because it is such a rare condition too much time can pass before it is properly diagnosed. This legislation will help to change that.”

The new law also requires local health departments to notify the public when Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever cases are detected in their area.

Two additional bills backed by Swanson were enacted Friday. House Bill 2547 adjusts statutory references related to the Department of Veterans Affairs, while House Bill 3388 expands the definition of “fire department vehicle” to include certain off-road vehicles and watercraft approved for fire department use.

Including these three measures, six bills sponsored by Rep. Swanson have been signed into law this summer. Earlier in August, the Governor approved other legislation authored by Swanson: one requiring colleges to create policies awarding academic credit for firefighter training (HB 1149), another mandating educational materials about alpha-gal syndrome be posted on the Department of Public Health’s website (HB 1754), and changes concerning online auctions and estate sales in Illinois (SB 2351).

Residents of Illinois’ 71st District can access more information about legislative news and events through Rep. Swanson’s website at repswanson.com.

Swanson has represented Illinois’ 71st House District since his election in 2023 as a Republican, succeeding Donald L. Moffitt.