Chicago area trooper given Illinois Medal of Honor after being injured in crash
LEMONT, Ill. (CBS) -- Illinois State Trooper Brian Frank was awarded the state's Medal of Honor on Wednesday, an award given to those in law enforcement who have given so much.
Gov. JB Pritzker visited Frank's home in southwest suburban Lemont to award him the Medal of Honor for his bravery and courage.
Frank was recognized for the sacrifice he made while on the job in 2021. He was assisting a driver when a car slammed into his squad car. He survived but remains in a minimally conscious state.
His wife, Lauren, has advocated for Scott's Law, and the state has since expanded the scope of the law, which requires drivers to move over when first responder cars are on the side of the road with hazards or police lights on.
"It means a lot that he not only came and presented the award, but sat with me and Brian, really listened and I'm hoping that together we can find some solutions so that this doesn't happen to another family in the future," said Lauren Frank.
Pritzker met with Frank and his family before presenting him with the award on Wednesday, which was also his 36th birthday.
"This is one of the bravest families that I know of in the State of Illinois, and of course Brian, a brave trooper who's been through so much," Pritzker said. "So it was an honor to be here to award him the Medal of Honor."
ISP Director Brendan Kelly said Frank is "still doing the work of serving the public, his example, his fortitude, Lauren's fortitude. Those are all examples for all of us."
Last year, Frank underwent stem cell therapy in Texas, a costly procedure that isn't covered by insurance. Frank's wife said their insurance company doesn't deem the treatment as medically necessary.
"That's the motivator, for Brian to get better, number one, and number two, making sure another family doesn't have to go through it," Lauren Frank said.
The governor acknowledged the Franks' unique medical situation and said more focus needs to be given to help the man who gave so much.
"There isn't even a category for this in the contracts with the insurance providers because it's just not something that happens very often, thank god," Pritzker said. "We have to make sure that Brian not only gets well taken care of, but that we're also creating a path in case this ever happens again."
Lauren Frank said brain scans showed the cutting-edge treatments at the facility in Texas were effective for Brian. She regularly holds fundraisers and college donations to make the costly trip possible.