IL HB5239

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act to create a new pathway for Freestanding Emergency Centers (FECs) to obtain annual licenses from the Department of Public Health

Removes the population restriction that currently limits FECs to municipalities with 50,000 or fewer inhabitants, allowing FECs in larger cities

Permits FECs operating as provider-based facilities under federal regulations (42 CFR 413.65) to advertise and market themselves as hospital emergency departments

Maintains existing requirements including 24-hour staffing with at least one board-certified emergency physician, on-site ambulance services with paramedics, and comprehensive emergency treatment services

FECs must still be wholly owned or controlled by an Associate or Resource Hospital and located within 50 miles of both the owning hospital and affiliated Resource Hospital