In 2012, Jennifer Russell knew there was something seriously wrong with her daughter, Lauryn, and she was determined to make someone listen.

Lauryn, a first grader in northwestern Illinois’ Mercer County, came home from school and got off the bus, but could not go any further.

“She was too fatigued to make it into the house and it seemed as though her legs had stopped working,” Russell later explained.

State Reps. Dan Swanson and Dave Swanson describe how the legislature is taking on Lyme Disease, a tick borne disease affecting thousands of Illinoisans.

• Lyme Disease Fact Sheet 
• Lyme Disease, What You Need to Know
• Keep up with House Republican initiatives

Have All Voted Who Wish · Swanson, Severin on combatting Lyme Disease in Illinois

In November of last year, Rep. Dan Swanson was successful in overriding the Governor's Amendatory Veto of his legislation to provide more treatment options for those suffering with Lyme disease.

The Lauryn Russell Lyme Disease Prevention & Protection Law was inspired by Lauryn Russell, a 12-year-old student from Mercer County, who has Lyme Disease and has had to seek treatment out of state due to potential disciplinary action that could be taken against her Illinois physician for treating Lauryn’s post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or Chronic Lyme Disease.  Advocates for Lyme Disease sufferers say the current recommended treatment of the disease, 10 to 21 days of antibiotics, is insufficient for people with advanced or persistent levels of the disease.

Rep. Swanson along with Lauryn and her mother Jennifer Russell led a discussion on the legislation last fall on WRMJ.  Listen to the Interview.