Naperville Teen's Legacy Lives On With 'Drive For Life Act'

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Teens as young as 16 can now register to become organ donors thanks a new law that could save hundreds of lives in Illinois. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the "Drive for Life" Act on Tuesday, making Illinois one of 48 states that allow residents under age 18 to register. The law will still let parents override the decision to donate organs for teens under 18.

The law will let teens register to be organ donors when they receive a driver's license or ID card. On Tuesday, Rauner stressed the importance of organ donation, citing the legacy left by Naperville teen Kyle Zuleg, who died in 2010.

"Kyle saved five lives with his most noble and priceless gift of organ donation," Kyle's mother, Jill Zuleg, said, according to ABC Chicago. "What a gift to give at just 16 years of age." (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Zuleg, a Neuqua Valley High School student, was killed when a heavy branch fell on him during a family camping trip. Since his tragic death, his family founded the Kyle Zuleg Foundation to urge others to give the gift of life by registering as organ donors.

In Illinois, nearly 5,000 people are on an organ donation waiting list and about 300 die each year waiting for a donor, according to ABC.

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Naperville teen Kyle Zuleg, 16, saved five lives with his organ donation in 2010./Image via Patch file