WEST CHICAGO, IL--On April 14, 2012, tragedy struck West Chicago when then-Mayor Mike Kwasman suffered (sudden cardiac arrest) at a local restaurant.
Although CPR was performed on Kwasman by friends, including current Mayor Ruben Pineda, he died three days later at Central DuPage Hospital.
Like many other businesses in West Chicago, the restaurant did not have an automated external defibrillator (AED), which West Chicago emergency personnel say may have made a difference.
Hoping to make that difference in residents’ futures, community leaders are encouraging businesses across town to install AEDs.
“AEDs save lives,” said West Chicago firefighter Mike Buenrostro Sr., whose son is helping with the efforts as well.