Illinois Wants You To Register Emergency Contacts

What if you were hurt in a crash or some other emergency? The state wants to know who police should call to notify.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois officials are encouraging everyone to register their emergency contacts with a statewide database.

Secretary of State Jesse White says the database established in 2009 currently has emergency contacts for 156,000 people.

Participation is voluntary. The database allows people to enter up to two family members or friends with addresses and phone numbers.

Law enforcement officials then use that information to contact them in case of emergency. Only law enforcement professionals have access to the database.

Anyone with a driver's license, instruction permit or state ID is eligible.

White encourages everyone to always carry some form of identification.

People without access to a computer may visit a local library.

Illinois is the third state to establish a contact database, along with Ohio and Florida.

More information at www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/ecd/home.html

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