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State Initiative on Automated External Defibrillators

At the request of the Office of Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, we are encouraging members to consider participating in the Illinois Heartsaver Initiative to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to public schools, park districts, and public colleges and universities.

Hospitals have long demonstrated their good will and commitment to their communities by donating AEDs to local schools, park districts and not-for-profit groups such as Boys and Girls clubs.

Hospitals are encouraged to either provide AEDs to local groups or to make donations to the state’s Heartsaver AED Trust Fund. The Fund, administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health, provides a 50 percent match to public schools, colleges and park districts to purchase AEDs, which cost about $1,000 each.

Each year, more than 250,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest. Lt. Governor Quinn is promoting the Heartsaver Initiative, with the goal of making defibrillators as common as fire extinguishers. Quinn has also announced that next year, Illinois taxpayers will have an additional way to donate to the Heartsaver AED Fund via a check-off box on the Illinois Income Tax form.

Hospitals that donate AEDs will be recognized by the Lt. Governor’s Office, so we ask that you let us know when you make such a donation.

For more information about the Heartsaver AED Fund, go to: http://www.KeepIllinoisHealthy.org. Also attached is Lt. Governor Quinn’s press release about the Heartsaver Initiative (click here).

Staff Contact: Cathy Grossi: (630) 276-5706