IL SB0593

Creates the Health Care Workforce Task Force within the Department of Public Health to address healthcare worker shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw 25,000 temporary workers leave after pandemic flexibility ended

Illinois faces an estimated shortage of 15,000 registered nurses by the end of 2025, with hospital emergency department wait times averaging 175 minutes contributing to workplace violence against healthcare workers

Task Force membership includes state agency directors, four legislative members, and Governor-appointed representatives from physician, nursing, hospital, labor, long-term care, allied health, and federally qualified health center organizations

Duties include reviewing workforce data, developing recommendations for recruitment and retention, addressing barriers for underrepresented groups, integrating foreign-trained professionals, and reducing workplace violence against healthcare workers

Task Force must hold at least 4 meetings, submit a report with recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor within one year of its first meeting, and dissolves on December 31, 2027