Blue envelope program goes statewide to improve communication between police, people with autism

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias on Tuesday morning unveiled a new statewide program meant to improve interactions between law enforcement and drivers with autism.

The Blue Envelope program allows drivers and passengers to keep all their documents – including driver's license, registration, and insurance information - in a blue envelope, which alerts officers that a person may need a different communication approach and extra patience.

The envelopes also include communication tips and emergency contact information to help reduce misunderstandings and ensure safer interactions between people with autism and police.

Driver can keep the blue envelope in a place that's easily accessible should they be pulled over.

"There's a lot of ignorant people out there who think that autistic people can't drive," said Zakariah Srandovich. "And to those people, what I have to say is that most people with autism have sensory sensitivities. So they can feel things more, which to me means that when you're driving a car and you can feel things, it more might make you a better driver."

More than 70 police departments in Illinois already use the program, including Elgin police and Cook County Sheriff's police, but it became a voluntary policy statewide following the recent passage of a new law.

"As a mom, it at least lets me breathe a little more," said Tamika Lecheé Morales, founder of Autism Hero Project, who has been spearheading the bipartisan legislation in Springfield.

Her son, Maximillian, who has autism, just earned his learner's permit.

"I want my son to become a safe driver, but unlike many parents, I've wondered what happens when flashing lights appear behind him. Will someone understand that anxiety doesn't always look like compliance?" she said.

For over a year, Autism Hero Project has been helping train police officers how to respond when pulling over someone who has autism who might not be verbal or might be feeling severe anxiety.

"It's also about helping law enforcement that can deal with very tricky, very dangerous situations. It just deescalates everything," Giannoulias said.

The blue envelope is meant to communicate to the officer making that traffic stop that they cannot confuse a driver's reaction or disability with noncompliance.

Anyone who's ever been pulled over knows it can be stressful. Someone who has austism can feel that anxiety tenfold.

"It's twofold. It's not just for the officers. It's peace of mind for the caregiviers and the individuals with autism as well," said Elgin Police Detective Chad Benavidez.

The blue envelopes will be available for free at Illinois Secretary of State DMV facilities beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

Similar programs exist in at least a dozen states across the country, and advocates in Illinois want to make this a nationwide option.