For her global scholar capstone project, senior Ashlynn Goldstein drafted House Bill 4788, which aims to amend the Illinois school code by requiring schools to provide more representative CPR equipment. The bill would mandate that CPR training courses include at least one female manikin for every two male manikins.
Goldstein said that the idea came from her own experience in repeated CPR training sessions.
“I’ve been certified more than five or six times,” Goldstein said. “ [I’ve] been in [CPR training] a lot, and realized that I’d never seen a female mannequin before.”
Her observation aligns with broader trends. A 2024 study found that 95% of CPR training manikins on the market were flat-chested.
This lack of representation may influence real-life emergency responses. According to the American Heart Association, women experiencing cardiac arrest are 14% less likely to receive bystander CPR than men.
Goldstein said hesitation may stem from concerns about inappropriate conduct.
“People [are] scared to perform CPR because of harassment allegations or inappropriate touching,” Goldstein said. “We just need more exposure to [female manikins] and more practice on the beginning side. We actually need to do it so people are prepared.”
The proposed bill builds on existing requirements that Illinois schools offer CPR training.
“[The bill] is an edit to the school code, because there’s already a portion of the school code that says every school must offer CPR,” Goldstein said. “It covers all schools in Illinois, whether they are public, private or charter.”
If passed, the bill would take effect beginning in the 2028-2029 school year. Schools would have the choice to either buy full female manikins or chest covers.
Goldstein drafted and advocated for her bill through her humanities capstone class taught by Seth Brady, a social studies teacher at Central.
“[Ashynn’s bill] will absolutely save lives,” Brady said. “[She] knows how to communicate and she realizes her own agency to affect change, and to me, that is just so gratifying.”
The bill was assigned to the Illinois House Education and Policy Committee on Feb. 17 and is awaiting a committee hearing on March 25.
Rep. Maura Hirshauer is the primary sponsor, with Reps. Janet Yang Rohr and Katie Stuart serving as co-sponsors.
Although the bill has not yet passed, its impact is already visible at Central. On March 18, WorldPoint, a medical supply store, donated eight manikins with interchangeable male and female chest options for future CPR training at Central.
“[The bill is] starting a conversation,” Goldstein said. “And so even if the bill doesn’t pass, it’s bringing awareness to the issue.”
Goldstein said the experience reflects the power of student advocacy.
“I think this has really taught me that when you truly stand up for something, you can actually make a difference,” Goldstein said. “We’re not as powerless as it can seem.”
