IDPH, Brady and the Ad Council Join Forces to Educate Illinoisans About Life-Saving Firearm Restraining Orders

Trailblazing Public-Private Partnership Helps Illinoisians “Pause to Heal” in a Moment of Crisis to Reduce Gun Suicides and Other Shootings

CHICAGO, IL (July 30^th, 2025) – Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Brady: United Against Gun Violence and the Ad Council are debuting the next phase of their “Pause to Heal” campaign, an innovative public-private partnership that was piloted in 2024 to raise awareness of Firearm Restraining Orders (FROs), also known as “extreme risk laws” or “red flag laws.” Despite these tools’ proven efficacy at preventing firearm injuries and deaths, awareness among the general public remains low. This year, the campaign is launching a new suite of public service advertisements (PSAs) that illustrate how loved ones, household members and other community members can “hit pause” on a potentially deadly situation by filing a FRO. The PSAs drive audiences to Illinois.gov/PauseToHeal for more information.

WATCH THE PSA.

Extreme risk laws, like Illinois’ FRO, are civil orders that temporarily prevent someone in crisis from purchasing or possessing firearms. Research demonstrates the effectiveness of these tools at preventing firearm injuries and deaths. One study estimated that Indiana’s extreme risk law averted one suicide for approximately every 10 orders enforced. Yet, an Ad Council pre-wave study showed that only 10% of Illinoisans are familiar with FROs.

FROs can be obtained through a civil procedure initiated by a family member, household member or other law enforcement officer and, if granted, temporarily block someone displaying signs they intend to harm themselves or someone else from buying or possessing a firearm. This removes the possibility of lethal and permanent action when a firearm is accessible to someone in crisis, granting time and space to heal.

“Firearm restraining orders are effective public health solutions that improve public safety,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “IDPH is proud of the Pause to Heal Campaign and its ability to provide Illinoisians with information on how to help a friend or loved one in crisis. IDPH is excited to continue our collaboration with Brady and Ad Council to relaunch this campaign and take it to the next level with these new public service ads.”

“Widespread awareness of Firearm Restraining Orders is crucial to ending family fire and freeing America from gun violence,” said Brady President Kris Brown. “This uniquely American epidemic can only be quashed if we are all aware of resources to protect our loved ones. By sharing information in accessible ways, we can empower families and community members to prevent tragedies and save lives.”

The three new video PSAs, created pro bono by award-winning director Deborah Riley Draper and her production company Coffee Bluff Pictures, depict dramatized scenarios that are based on actual stories of extreme risk laws filed and demonstrate how a FRO can pause a potentially deadly situation when someone is in crisis has access to a firearm.

"It was a profound honor to direct the 'Pause to Heal' campaign, inspired by the powerful journeys of actual people navigating difficult situations and the friends and family who chose to intervene with an act of courage and love,” said Deborah Riley Draper. “These stories demonstrate in a deeply moving way how filing a Firearm Restraining Order is both a resource and a compassionate step that affords someone in crisis the time needed to heal."

"Pause to Heal” PSAs will run in paid and donated media – including broadcast TV, digital, online video, radio and print media – across Illinois and directing audiences to Illinois.gov/PauseToHeal to learn more, as research suggests audiences trust local public health departments as messengers on extreme risk law education. While awareness grows, exposure to the campaign is already driving engagement. Last year’s campaign drove around 40,000 visitors to the campaign website, with a statistically significant increase in Illinoisans who report visiting a website to get more information about FROs and educating themselves on how or when to use a FRO. After last year’s campaign, a study by C+R Research reports an increase in campaign recognition, with those aware of "Pause to Heal” being over four times more likely to visit a website to learn about FROs than those who are not aware of the campaign.

“We’re honored to continue collaborating with IDPH and Brady in the second year of our ‘Pause to Heal’ campaign,” said Michelle Hillman, the Ad Council’s chief campaign development officer. “Leveraging the collective experience and expertise of the Ad Council, IDPH and Brady, this public-private partnership uniquely reaches Illinoisans where they are. Our powerful creative drives real impact, raising awareness of the importance of FROs so Illinoisans can understand the various tools available to them to best protect their communities.”

​​This initiative complements Ad Council and Brady’s national “End Family Fire” campaign, a public education campaign that focuses on secure gun storage as an evidence-based solution to preventing gun violence. The Ad Council and Brady are also partnering with IDPH to localize “End Family Fire” in Illinois, leveraging a holistic approach to firearm violence prevention within the state. “Pause to Heal” additionally expands on IDPH and its partner state agencies’ efforts to reduce gun violence by distributing tens of thousands of free gun locks that help to prevent unintentional shootings, especially by young children who find guns in their homes, as well as firearm suicides and intentional shootings.

For more information on FROs in Illinois, visit Illinois.gov/PauseToHeal.
 

About Brady

Brady is the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention group, responsible for the 1994 bipartisan Brady Bill, which established our country’s background check system for gun sales and continues to save lives every day. But we know that changing laws alone won’t end gun violence; we must also change hearts and minds. That’s why we take a comprehensive, three-point approach to free America from gun violence: change the laws, change the gun industry, and change the culture. Join the movement at bradyunited.org.
 

About IDPH

The Illinois Department of Public Health is one of the state’s oldest agencies and was first organized in 1877 with just three employees. Now, with headquarters in Springfield and Chicago, it operates six regional health offices and three laboratories, and employs 1,400 Illinoisans who are committed to making the state a healthier place. The agency’s mission is to advocate for and partner with the people of Illinois to re-envision health policy and promote health equity, prevent and protect against disease and injury, and prepare for health emergencies.
 

About The Ad Council

The Ad Council convenes creative storytellers to educate, unite and uplift audiences by opening hearts, inspiring action and accelerating change. For more than 80 years, the nonprofit organization and its partners in advertising, media, marketing and tech have been behind some of the country's most iconic social impact campaigns – Smokey Bear, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk, Tear the Paper Ceiling and many more. To learn more or get involved, visit AdCouncil.org, join the Ad Council's communities on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and view campaign creative on YouTube.