SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel is leading a measure that would allow people with autism to get a special license plate, in turn leading to safer traffic stops and interactions with law enforcement.

“Traffic stops are stressful for everyone, but even more so for people who have autism,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Autism can affect people’s social cues and command responses, causing anxiety for them when encountering police officers.”

The measure was inspired by the Illinois Legislative Neurodiversity Caucus, which Loughran Cappel co-chairs with Representative Natalie Manley. The legislation would allow the Secretary of State to issue special license plates noting that someone in the car has autism, and it would require a certificate from a licensed physician confirming that the applicant or their child is autistic.

The measure would also make it easier for police officers to recognize that someone has autism when pulling a car over for a traffic stop. There is already a comparable program in Naperville, where drivers of cars pulled over for traffic stops can hand police officers a blue envelope to denote that someone in the car is on the autism spectrum.

“Police officers have training for dealing with various kinds of traffic stops, but people who have autism sometimes communicate in ways that police officers do not expect,” Loughran Cappel said. “This measure would help decrease the possibility that a routine traffic stop turns into a dangerous situation when someone with autism gets pulled over, and it would protect both drivers and police officers.”

Senate Bill 3904 passed the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday, and it will now head to the full Senate for further consideration.