The Glendale Heights Police Department is giving away free blue envelopes that help residents with autism communicate with officers during traffic stops.
The envelopes hold vehicle documents alongside instructions for drivers, quick-reference information for officers and emergency contact details. No registration or personal information is required. The department partnered with The Autism Hero Project, a nonprofit led by founder and president Tamika Leché Morales, to bring the program to Glendale Heights.
Materials are available at the police department, 300 Civic Center Plaza, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The program is voluntary. Participation does not exempt anyone from citations or other law enforcement actions.
Glendale Heights is not the first local department to adopt the envelopes. The Lombard Police Department was already participating as of April, along with departments in Elgin, Naperville, Gurnee, Wilmette and Springfield, Shaw Local reported.
The concept started in Connecticut in 2020 as a tool for drivers who face communication challenges during traffic stops, according to the Glendale Heights Police Department. It has since spread nationwide.
A new Illinois law will make the program far more accessible. Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4472 on June 26, requiring the Illinois Secretary of State to design and distribute blue envelopes statewide. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
The Glendale Heights Police Department's website states envelopes will be available at every Secretary of State DMV, public library and police agency across Illinois under the new law.
State Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) led the legislation. In a May 5 press release on her official website, she cited a pilot program with the Elgin Police Department as the model. "After working with the Elgin Police Department on their local pilot version of this program, we have seen nothing but positive results in our community," Castro said.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the statewide rollout on July 21. His office will provide the envelopes free of charge at DMV facilities and participating law enforcement agencies.
Residents who want an envelope before the statewide launch can visit the Glendale Heights Police Department during weekday business hours. No appointment is needed.
