Representative Lisa Hernandez introduced HB1403, earlier this week, to protect the state’s investment in the Illinois Poison Center (IPC), the nation’s oldest poison center. This legislation will appropriate full funding for the IPC, the state’s only remaining poison control, information and treatment center.

The IPC, the oldest and one of the busiest poison centers in the nation, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. In 2012, the IPC handled nearly 82, 000 calls from across the state, with close to 49 percent of those calls involving children five years of age and under. The IPC’s expert staff comprised of specially trained pharmacists, nurses and physicians provides free, confidential treatment advice and information 24hours a day, 365 days a year.

As a leading source of advance toxicology consultation and training in the state, nearly 28 percent of the calls the IPC receives are from health care providers seeking expert treatment advice for their patients who have been exposed to a hazardous substance. The services provided by the IPC not only save lives, but also provide a significant return on investment. For every $1 in invested in the IPC, there is an estimated $13 savings in health care and lost productivity costs, helping to save Illinois tax payers more than $50 million dollars annually.

For more information on the IPC, please visit www.illinoispoisoncenter.org. If you or someone you know has been exposed to a potentially harmful substance, please call 1-800-222-1222.