SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a plan into law Monday to require Illinois school districts to develop cardiac emergency response plans.
The new law will require school districts to work with local paramedics to create evidence-based plans to use AEDs in case of cardiac events. Sponsors said the response plans must be available on everyone school website and in paper form throughout schools.
Democrats and Republicans believe this plan is critical, as Illinois saw 109 cardiac events involving students under 18 during 2022 alone.
Rep. Laura Faver Dias (D-Grayslake) introduced House Bill 5394 on the Illinois House floor.Â
"The creation of these plans will use evidence-based best practices for the placement of AEDs, which will save lives and provide significantly better outcomes for students and staff who experience cardiac events while on school grounds," said Rep. Laura Faver Dias (D-Grayslake).
Schools will be required to identify where AEDS are located on the property and include guidelines for how to use the equipment properly. Coaches and other school staff could also be trained on how to use AEDs.
"The availability and use of AEDs have shown to significantly improve chances of survival and recovery," said Sen. Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon). "Not only can they save lives, but my hope is that this can and will also provide peace of mind to parents when they drop their kids off at school."
The new law will take effect on January 1.
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