Quinn Signs Lauren Laman Bill to Promote Response to Cardiac Incidents at High Schools

Today, Governor Quinn signed the Lauren Laman Bill, which will require all students in Illinois high schools to be trained on how to properly administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Quinn signed the bill, which amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act, at the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Convention in Bloomington. The new law will become effective on July 1, in time for the 2014-2015 school year. Illinois is now one of 16 states that require CPR and/or AED training in high schools.

The bill was spearheaded by George and Mary Laman. In 2008, their daughter, Lauren, went into sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) during drill team practice at St. Charles North High School. An AED was located just 40 feet from where she collapsed. The coach and students called 9-1-1. The dispatcher instructed them to retrieve the AED to help Lauren, but it was not used. When paramedics arrived more than 12 minutes later, they were not able to resuscitate Lauren.

In the years since their daughter’s death, the Lamans reached out to the American Heart Association to research possible legislation that would promote training and education that prevents similar tragedies in the future. As a Schaumburg firefighter and paramedic, George Laman drummed up support for a bill among his allies in the Illinois fire service.

With the help of Representative Dan Burke, the Lamans drafted the Lauren Laman Bill, which Representative Burke filed on October 23, 2013. According to Laman, the chief bill sponsors, Representative Burke and Senator John Mulroe, took on the bill as if Lauren was their own child. The bill passed both houses with resounding support on May 20 with a total of 25 House sponsors and 29 Senate sponsors.

“Witnessing the passage of this bill through the legislative process and seeing it officially signed into law today by Governor Quinn was tremendously rewarding,” says George Laman. “Six long years later, this bill helps our family find some peace and happiness. Although there is an emptiness that can never be replaced, this fulfills the promise we made to save lives in Lauren’s name.”

According to the American Heart Association, more than 335,000 people die every year due to sudden cardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating and pumping blood to the rest of the body. An AED is a computerized medical device that can check a person’s heart as well as shock it back to a normal rhythm if they are experiencing cardiac arrest. Rapid treatment of sudden cardiac arrest with an AED can be lifesaving.

Laman says teaching high school students about an AED will help them understand how easy it is to use and the importance of noting the AED’s location. The device tells the user where to put the pads on the patient’s chest. Then the AED automatically analyzes the patient’s vital signs and determines if a shock is necessary.

Representative Burke notes that requiring CPR/AED training in Illinois high schools will provide students with the information, education and confidence they need to act appropriately during an emergency. It will also produce generations of better informed citizens who will recognize when a person is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest and be in a position to help save his or her life.