Chicago is Now a National Leader in Bystander CPR
We're proud that Illinois Heart Rescue (ILHR), launched right here at UIC Emergency Medicine, is part of that impact.
Between 2021 and 2023, the city saw a 14.6% increase in bystander CPR rates — and more lives saved through immediate action, including Narcan administration for opioid overdose. ILHR Executive Director Courtney Schwerin O’Reilly joined CFD to spread awareness and demonstrate life-saving CPR.
“Anyone can save a life,” Courtney said. “It only takes a few minutes to learn CPR, and those few minutes could make all the difference.”
Illinois Heart Rescue has trained over 30,000 Chicagoans in CPR and continues to offer free classes to schools, community groups, and public agencies.
See the full coverge HERE.
Modified on April 10, 2025