SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner passed a measure through committee to mandate training for emergency medical dispatchers on how to provide CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest.
“We are losing too many of our friends and family to heart disease,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Ensuring that our emergency dispatchers are well-equipped to handle these situations will save lives.”
Senate Bill 1295 would mandate all 9-1-1 telecommunicators to be trained in telecommunicator-CPR and would require emergency medical dispatchers to be trained in T-CPR. T-CPR is when a dispatcher provides over-the-phone CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest. This process is a key part of the chain of survival for cardiac arrest.
Read more: Turner advances measure to improve training for emergency medical dispatchers
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to support Rock Island mental facilities and vulnerable Iowa patients passed committee today.
“Health care access is a concern that crosses state lines,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Allowing Iowa patients to access Rock Island mental health infrastructure is a win-win, particularly with the quality care our facilities can provide.”
Senate Bill 188 would allow for Iowa involuntary in-patient admissions to be accepted at Rock Island County facilities in Illinois. Illinois law presently does not allow for involuntary admissions to cross state lines and patients may have to travel upwards of five hours away to receive care.
Read more: Halpin’s bill to integrate the Quad Cities mental health system passes committee
SPRINGFIELD — To assist schools in scheduling major school or athletic events, State Senator Ram Villivalam is sponsoring a measure that would require the Illinois State Board of Education to provide calendar dates indicating when a portion of students may be absent due to cultural or religious reasons.
“Our communities are diverse, which means there are numerous days throughout the academic year where different students may be absent for cultural or religious reasons,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Yet students are having to make challenging decisions such as having to miss a sporting event because it was scheduled on a religious or cultural holiday.”
Currently, the Illinois State Board of Education provides a guide for school districts regarding attendance days, holidays, special circumstances and frequently asked questions about school calendars.
Read more: Villivalam measure to provide schools with cultural and religious calendar dates
SPRINGFIELD – Children who walk to and from school would be safer under a new proposal from State Senator Laura Murphy.
“School zones should be the safest places for children, but distracted drivers and speeders pose a hazard that needs to be addressed,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Installing flashing beacons at crosswalks is a simple, effective way to prevent accidents and protect students and their parents on their daily commutes.”
Senate Bill 1941 allows local governments to install rapidly flashing beacons at pedestrian crosswalks near elementary and secondary schools. These beacons activate when pedestrians use the crosswalk, alerting drivers to their presence.
Read more: Murphy’s measure aims to increase safety in school zones
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