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October 18, 2004 - Despite the grueling shortfall of this year's state budget, Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones, (D) Senate Appropriations Chairman Senator Donne Trotter, Assist. (R) Minority Leader Steve Rauschenberg, (D) Assistant Majority Leader Jimmy DeLeo, (D) Majority Caucus Chair Senator Debbie Halverson, (R) Leader Frank Watson, (D) Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, (D) Deputy Majority Leader Ralph Capparelli, (D) Assist. Majority Leader Lou Lang, (R) Minority Leader Tom Cross and (D) House Rules Committee Gary Hannig lead the way for a cascade of bi-partisan support from state legislators who unanimously passed appropriation for another year in the Illinois state budget, allowing the expansion of SALF statewide growth.

Funds will provide mini grants for existing SALF Branch sites, located within hospital emergency departments, as well as for the development of new sites, which will bring Life Supporting First Aid training to school children across Illinois by local EMS providers. Mayors who form a local Citizen Corps Council can match these funds by applying for federal Homeland Security Citizen Corps grants.  The object is to make our children more responsible citizens by empowering them with emergency preparedness skills (CPR, First Aid) so they can provide aid to the injured or ill, should they be faced with a life-threatening situation.

SALF's years of success, in correspondence with their training of nearly one million Illinois schoolchildren, who demonstrated a 97% skills retention level and a 57% increased willingness to help those in need, prompted the action by the state legislators.

"I was very pleased to again have the opportunity to work with the Save A Life Foundation during the budget process," Senator Trotter said.

"The funding for SALF is an important tool in educating young people in the techniques of life saving.  I know personally how important this training can be to avert tragedy.  Save A Life Foundation's continuing efforts to educate and inform impact people's lives every day.  One million young people have received this vital instruction since 1997.  These dollars will provide life-saving training for many others." - Senate President Emil Jones

The Senate President was an SALF "Life Saving Award" recipient himself, for saving a woman's life by performing the Heimlich maneuver earlier this year.  This was the third incident when Jones has preformed this maneuver and, to showcase his appreciation, Dr. Henry Heimlich, SALF Medical Board member, presented the award himself.