North Shore families with autistic or neurodivergent members can pick up a free Blue Envelope kit at the Skokie courthouse on Old Orchard Road, no registration required. The bright blue packet holds instructions for both the carrier and the officer during a traffic stop or any police encounter, along with space for a driver's license, registration, insurance, emergency contacts, and preferred communication methods.
The Cook County Sheriff's Office launched the program on Monday, June 22, in partnership with The Autism Hero Project, a nonprofit founded by Tamika Lechée Morales after her youngest son was diagnosed with autism in 2015. Morales called the program "a bridge of understanding" between neurodivergent residents and first responders.
The pickup location closest to Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Glencoe, and Northfield is District 2 – Skokie Courts, 5600 West Old Orchard Road, Room 140, Skokie 60076. No personal information is collected. Residents should confirm courthouse hours before visiting, as the sheriff's office did not publish specific availability times. Kits are also available at 13 other Cook County courthouse locations, including the Daley Center in downtown Chicago and Rolling Meadows Courts.
Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said the program aims to reduce stress and improve communication during encounters, ensuring neurodivergent residents are treated with dignity. The envelope can be kept in a glove box or carried in a bag or backpack for encounters on foot.
The Blue Envelope Program originated in Connecticut in January 2020 and has been adopted in at least 13 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In Illinois, the Springfield Police Department launched its version in February 2026, and the Autism Hero Project is pushing for statewide legislation mandating the program.
The Wilmette Police Department has separately confirmed on its Instagram account that it offers the Blue Envelope Program. It is unclear whether Wilmette's program uses the same materials distributed through the Cook County Sheriff's Office or operates independently. Residents seeking a kit may want to contact Wilmette PD directly as an alternative to the Skokie courthouse.
Wednesday, June 24
- Wilmette Historic Preservation Plan Open House – 6 to 7:30 p.m., Village Hall, 1200 Wilmette Avenue. A revised draft of the preservation plan will be presented.
- Glencoe Plan Commission – 7 p.m., Village Hall.
No confirmed meetings this week for Winnetka Village Council or Kenilworth Village Board. Check winnetka.org and villageofkenilworth.org for current agendas.
