Good Samaritan Act
for CPR and AED

Illinois Compiled Statutes - Civil Immunities

745 ILCS 49/1 - Sec. 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the Good Samaritan Act.

Source: P.A. 89‑607, eff. 1‑1‑97.

745 ILCS 49/2 - Sec. 2.  Legislative purpose.

The General Assembly has established numerous protections for the generous and compassionate acts of its citizens who volunteer their time and talents to help others.  These protections or good samaritan provisions have been codified in many Acts of the Illinois Compiled Statutes.  This Act recodifies existing good samaritan provisions.  Further, without limitation the provisions of this Act shall be liberally construed to encourage persons to volunteer their time and talents.

Source: P.A. 89‑607, eff. 1‑1‑97.

745 ILCS 49/10)  Sec. 10. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; exemption from civil liability for emergency care.

Any person currently certified in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation who complies with generally recognized standards, and who in good faith, not for compensation, provides emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation to a person who is an apparent victim of acute cardiopulmonary insufficiency shall not, as the result of his or her acts or omissions in providing resuscitation, be liable for civil damages, unless the acts or omissions constitute willful and wanton misconduct.

Source: P.A. 89‑607, eff. 1‑1‑97; 90‑742, eff. 8‑13‑98.

745 ILCS 49/12)  Sec. 12. Use of an automatic external defibrillator; exemption from civil liability for emergency care.

Any person who has successfully completed the training requirements of a course in basic emergency care of a person in cardiac arrest that:

(i)  included training in the operation and use of an automatic external defibrillator; and

(ii) was conducted in accordance with the standards of the American Heart Association, and who, in good faith, not for compensation, renders emergency medical care involving the use of an automatic external defibrillator in accordance with his or her training is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission, except for willful and wanton misconduct, by that person in rendering that care.

Source: P.A. 90‑746, eff. 8‑14‑98.

745 ILCS 49/65)  Sec. 65. Choking victim at food-service establishment; exemption from civil liability for emergency assistance.

Except as provided by law, no person shall be obligated to remove, assist in removing, or attempt to remove, food from another person's throat, nor shall any person who in good faith removes or attempts to remove food in an emergency occurring at a food‑service establishment as defined in the Choke‑Saving Methods Act be liable for any civil damages as a result of any acts or omissions by that person in rendering emergency assistance.

Source: P.A. 89‑607, eff. 1‑1‑97.

745 ILCS 49/67  Sec. 67.  First aid providers; exemption for first aid.

Any person who is currently certified in first aid by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or the National Safety Council and who in good faith provides first aid without fee to any person shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the person in providing the aid, be liable to a person to whom such aid is provided for civil damages.

The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any health care facility as defined in Section 8‑2001 of the Code of Civil Procedure or to any practitioner as defined in Section 8‑2003 of the Code of Civil Procedure providing services in a hospital or health care facility.

Source: P.A. 94‑825, eff. 7‑1‑06; 94‑1088, eff. 1‑25‑07.