By January 1, 1993, the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health shall designate at least one and no more than 3 human poison control centers. The director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture shall designate one animal poison control center as regional poison control center to provide comprehensive poison control center services for animal exposures by January 1, 1993. The services provided by the centers shall adhere to the appropriate national standards promulgated by the American Association of Poison Control Centers and the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association; adherence to these standards shall occur within 2 years after designation by the respective departments, unless the center has been granted an extension by the Illinois Department of Public Health or the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The 2-year period shall automatically be extended for an additional 2 years if funding was not secured after a poison control center's initial designation. The designated departments shall set standards of operation after consulting with current poison control service providers. Poison control centers shall cooperate to reduce the cost of operations, collect information on poisoning exposures, and provide education to the public and health professionals. A regional poison control center shall continue to operate unless it voluntarily closes or the designating departments revoke the designation for failure to comply with the standards. Centers designated under this Act shall be considered State agencies for purposes of the State Employee Indemnification Act.
410 ILCS 47/15