Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of sudden unexplained death in infancy by providing educational programs to consumers, professionals in health care, the law enforcement community, child care providers and the public in general and by collaborating with others who have similar concerns, as well as being dedicated to the provision of bereavement services to family members and others that have experienced the tragedy of a sudden unexplained death in infancy through a peer support program and community support groups.

Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of infant death. Serving the State of Illinois since 1968, this organization has developed and sponsored campaigns to educate parents, health care professionals, childcare providers and the community at large about safe sleep strategies.

Our goal is to reduce the number of infant deaths in Illinois through educational initiatives based on proven risk reduction techniques. In addition we continue to support the families who have infants die as the families struggle with profound and overwhelming grief.

SIDS of Illinois serves all the residents of Illinois including professionals and the community at large. Our servies are offered free of charge. Outside of Illinois, we freely offer our expertise but there is an appropriate charge.

Predicting which infants are going to die is not possible. However there are proven risk reduction strategies that can help parents and caregivers to significantly reduce an infant’s risk of dying. SIDS of Illinois sponsors initiatives targeted to reach the parents of every newborn in the state. Innovative campaigns are designed to raise awareness among all Illinois residents. Exhibits of safe sleep information are done at conferences of medical and nursing professionals as well as at childcare providers’ conferences. Educational programs are provided to medical and nursing professionals at hospitals throughout Illinois that offer maternity services. “Safe Sleep” workshops and baby showers that teach risk reduction tools for lowering the likelihood of accidental suffocation, overlay, entrapment deaths as well as sudden infant death syndrome are presented to pregnant women, new mothers and family support people as well as the community at large, specifically in those communities that have high infant mortality rates.

In 2006 SIDS of Illinois was awarded the March of Dimes’ Eighth Annual Jonas Salk Health Leadership Award in Public and Community Health. This award was established in 1998 to recognize Chicago area individuals and organizations for exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions in improving infant and maternal health. Georgetown University’s National Center for Cultural Competency named Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois a “Model Organization” for the culturally sensitive and diverse programs provided by SIDS of Illinois.

Our Board of Directors is an involved group of caring professionals who dedicate their time to be actively involved in the growth and development of this organization. For a complete list of members see our website.

Our Board of Advisors is a group of dedicated medical professionals who are available to offer review and opinions on the latest medical research regarding infant mortality.

SIDS of Illinois is beginning its 41st year of service to Illinois families. We are the only organization of its kind. Not only do we support families who have experienced an infant death, but we serve as an expert educator on the subject of infant mortality and safe sleep.

One primary initiative this year is to research prevailing opinions on safe sleep and infant mortality. We plan to survey both families who have experienced an infant death as well as families who have not. By performing this survey, we hope to target communities and families who have NOT responded to the safe sleep message.

In the last 15 years, SIDS of Illinois and our partners have reduced the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by 68% in Illinois. Further, we have moved the infant mortality rate from 47th in the U.S. to 22nd. We have much more work to do to keep Illinois Infants safe but we continue to develop innovative new ways to reach the public with this vital message.