Page 25 - February 2016

The importance of meaningful legislation AED law already saved an officer’s life
For a change of pace, I thought it would be good to describe some positive news!
CPR and the new AED on site. These officers’ efforts, aided by the AED, saved the life of their brother in blue.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Last year, Senator John Mulroe, a Democrat from the Northwest side, sponsored SB 764, which is now Public Act 99-0246. In the House, the bill was sponsored by Representative Dan Burke. He was joined by co-sponsors Fran Hur- ley, Rob Martwick, Ann Williams and John D’Amico. All are Democrats from Chicago. The law passed the House and the Senate unani-
Senator Mulroe and Representative Burke’s bill shows how the Illinois Legislature can come together and enact meaningful new laws that not only positively impact life but, in this case, actually save a life. It is most likely only the first life saved by this new law.
DAVE SULLIVAN
mously and was signed into law by Governor Rauner on Aug. 3 last year.
In the other all-too-familiar news from Springfield, the news is not good. The stalemate continues between Demo- crat legislative leaders and the Republican governor. The Illinois primary is set March 15. Don’t look for much, if any, progress before that. Most people (myself included) think it will be long after the primary before there is any resolution to the gridlock. Many bills have been introduced to address “reforms” in policing. We have been busy meeting with leg- islators and staff to address the many issues before the Gen- eral Assembly. d
Senator Mulroe’s bill was simple in idea but life-saving in reality. This new law calls for all large police departments to have AEDs (automatic external defibrillators). I’m not sure even Senator Mulroe knew how quickly this law would lead to a police officer’s life being saved.
Earlier this month in the 11th District, that law did become a lifesaver – a 59-year-old police officer suffered a heart attack but was revived by three fellow officers using
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