SPRINGFIELD, IL - May 28, 2024 - During the 2024 Illinois legislative session, the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, championed legislation to implement cardiac emergency response plans in schools. The Illinois Senate voted unanimously to pass bill, HB5394. HB5394 will amend the School Safety Drill Act to require school districts to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans that apply to all schools and school-sponsored activities in the state.
The American Heart Association and their You’re the Cure advocates worked alongside coalition members, Illinois Heart Rescue, Illinois Parent Teacher Association, Illinois Principals Association and Project ADAM to push for this policy that will increase survival rates from cardiac arrests that happen outside of a hospital.
More than 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital in the United States each year. Currently, only about 10% of those people will survive. Hands-Only CPR, if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
It is estimated that about 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually in this country. Of those cardiac arrests, about 40% are sports related. Whether in the classroom or on the playing field, having a plan in place to enable faculty, staff and students to respond to a cardiac emergency quickly and correctly can save lives. In schools with AEDs, approximately 70% of children survive cardiac arrest – seven times the overall survival rate for children.
“At Lurie Children’s Hospital, we see first-hand that early access to CPR and defibrillation with an AED saves lives and improves outcomes. Sadly, cardiac arrests do happen to children both with and without known heart conditions. HB5394 will help schools become better prepared through education and training with a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP). Our Project ADAM team is ecstatic this legislation passed, and we are prepared to help schools in the community implement CERPs in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year,” said American Heart Association Metro Chicago board member, pediatric nurse practitioner at Lurie Children’s Hospital, and Project ADAM program coordinator, Jaclyn Reider and Dr. Stu Berger, Lurie Children’s Heart Center division head and Project ADAM medical director.
According to the Association’s Vice President of Advocacy for the Midwest, Shannon Smith, “Congratulations to Illinois for continuing the momentum across the country to ensure our most vulnerable are protected during cardiac arrest. We are excited to truly build a ‘Nation of Lifesavers’.”
“We are thrilled to have this legislation pass and hope to celebrate it at our Centennial in June,” said American Heart Association Senior Regional Lead for Government Relations in the Midwest Lauren Peters.
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Erin Kesler; erin.kesler@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org