The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is proud to join a nationwide movement helping individuals with autism and other communication differences feel safer and more confident during interactions with law enforcement.
“The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is proud to launch the Blue Envelope Program, an initiative designed to foster safer, more effective interactions between law enforcement officers and members of our community with autism spectrum disorder. This program reflects our commitment to compassion, understanding, and professional policing by providing officers with valuable information that can help reduce stress and improve communication during traffic stops and other encounters. We believe the Blue Envelope Program will strengthen trust, enhance safety for everyone involved, and ensure that all residents are treated with dignity, respect, and care.” – Sheriff Thomas J. Dart, Cook County Sheriff’s Office
“The Blue Envelope Program is more than just a tool; it’s a bridge of understanding. It empowers individuals and equips our first responders with the knowledge they need to approach every situation with patience and empathy, thereby ensuring a safer community for everyone.”— Tamika Lecheé Morales, Founder & President, The Autism Hero Project
How the Program Works
There is no registration required, and no personal information is needed. Participation is as easy as:
- Visit a participating location
- Pick up your Blue Envelope and materials
- Keep them in your vehicle or personal belongings
Just like that, residents are now part of the program and a part of strengthening community safety.
Inside the Blue Envelope
This envelope contains communication tools first responders rely on, including:
- Instructions for drivers if pulled over
- Information officers can quickly reference
- Critical support for encounters on foot or in public spaces
Pick-Up Locations
Residents can pick up Blue Envelope materials at Cook County Courthouses:
- Cook County Courthouses
- Criminal Courts (2650 S. California, Room 1A25, Chicago 60608)
- Daley Center Courts (50 W. Washington, Room CL-113, Chicago 60602)
- Domestic Violence Court (555 W. Harrison, Room 1005, Chicago 60606)
- Eviction Unit (50 W. Washington, Room 701, Chicago 60602)
- Juvenile Courts (1100 S. Hamilton, Room 2002A, Chicago 60612)
- Child Support (937 N. Wood Street, Chicago 60622)
- District 2 – Skokie Courts (5600 West Old Orchard Road, Room 140, Skokie 60076)
- District 3 – Rolling Meadows Courts (2121 Euclid, Room 122, Rolling Meadows 60008)
- District 4 – Maywood Courts (1500 Maybrook Drive, Room 114, Maywood, 60153)
- District 5 – Bridgeview Courts (10220 S. 76th Avenue, Room 122, Bridgeview 60455)
- District 6 – Markham Courts (16501 S. Kedzie Parkway, Room 118, Markham 60426)
- Grand & Central Courts (5555 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago 60639)
- Harrison & Kedzie Courts (3150 W. Flournoy, Chicago 60612)
- 111th Street Courts (727 E. 111th Street, Room 7, Chicago 60628)
- Distribution at community engagement events
More About the Blue Envelope Program
The Blue Envelope Program began in Connecticut in 2020 as a simple, effective solution to support drivers who face communication challenges during traffic stops. The program utilizes a bright blue envelope to hold essential vehicle documents, along with clear, concise instructions for both the driver and the officer.
The program quickly proved that small changes can have a life-changing impact, which propelled its rapid nationwide adoption. Today, resources have expanded, providing materials people can carry even when not driving, ensuring safer interactions during any first-responder encounter. By promoting empathy and clear communication, the program is designed to significantly reduce anxiety and misunderstandings for identified citizens.
In an effort to ensure consistent safety and communication access statewide, The Autism Hero Project is customizing FREE Blue Envelope Program templates for first responders across Illinois and Florida to advance state legislation mandating the Blue Envelope Program statewide.