Villa Park drivers on the autism spectrum can pick up a free Blue Envelope kit at the police department or Village Hall. The kit gives them a way to signal communication needs during traffic stops.
The Villa Park Police Department announced the program, which provides a bright blue envelope that a driver or passenger can hand to an officer during a stop, according to DuPage Community News. The envelope signals that the person may communicate differently or need extra time to respond, according to the village's announcement.
Inside the envelope, residents can store a driver's license or state ID, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, emergency contact information and notes about how they prefer to communicate.
No registration or proof of diagnosis is required.
The kits are available at two locations: the Villa Park Police Department, 40 S. Ardmore Ave., and Village Hall, 20 S. Ardmore Ave. Residents fill in their information, add copies of documents and keep the envelope in their vehicle.
Villa Park is one of dozens of Illinois municipalities that have adopted a local version of the program ahead of a statewide rollout. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced July 21 that a new law will create a consistent statewide Blue Envelope Program, according to a Secretary of State press release. His office will administer the program in partnership with law enforcement and autism advocacy groups. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
"A routine traffic stop can be one of the most stressful moments for someone with autism," Giannoulias said in a July 21 statement. "A simple blue envelope can make an extraordinary difference by helping officers immediately recognize that a driver may communicate differently or need a little more time to respond."
The program originated in Connecticut in 2020 and has spread to nearly 20 states, according to the Secretary of State's office. Unlike the Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card, no medical certification is required to receive a blue envelope.
Residents with questions can call the Villa Park Police Department at 630-834-7447.
