1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

Joining the multistate Nurse Licensure Compact would enable Illinois to address its critical nursing shortage more effectively. Currently, Illinois is one of the few states requiring its own nursing license without offering reciprocity, creating unnecessary barriers for nurses seeking to practice here. By participating in the compact with 34 other states, Illinois would recognize multistate licenses and allow nurses to transfer their credentials seamlessly. This would streamline hiring processes, reduce bureaucratic obstacles, and help get skilled nurses to areas of urgent need more rapidly. The nursing shortage in Illinois predates the pandemic, with over half of registered nurses aged 55 or older approaching retirement. COVID-19 has only exacerbated this shortage, taking a heavy toll on overworked healthcare staff. Joining the compact represents a straightforward reform to bolster Illinois' nursing workforce immediately through greater mobility and license portability. For nurses like Madalyn Mauro, compact membership would eliminate months of delays and hundreds of dollars in redundant licensing fees. Critically, it would help ensure all Illinois communities have sufficient nursing staff amidst this public health crisis. I urge you to support Senate Bill 2068 to join the Nurse Licensure Compact. This bipartisan legislation passed the Senate committee unanimously, demonstrating its common-sense value. By enacting this reform, Illinois can address its persistent nursing shortage more swiftly and safeguard healthcare access for all residents during this challenging period.