Illinois | National Nurses United

Large group of nurses hold banner "Safe Staffing Ratios Save Lives""

Legislation updates

Illinois Safe Patient Limits Act Fact Sheet

Illinois has no law limiting the number of patients a registered nurse can care for at one time. As a result, registered nurses are consistently required to care for more patients than is safe, compromising patient care and negatively impacting patient outcomes.

The Safe Patient Limits Act requires hospitals to annually develop safe staffing plans that meet the bill’s RN patient limits and provide for additional staffing based on individual patient care needs. Learn more by reading our fact sheet »

Nurse Licensure Compact Legislation — Opposition Fact Sheet

NNOC-Illinois/National Nurses United urges you to oppose H.B. 1338, H.B. 1652, H.B. 1706, H.B. 2614, S.B. 102, and any other Nurse Licensure Compact or Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses (Compact) legislation introduced this session. Learn why by reading our fact sheet »

Press releases

Nurses on sidewalks in front of Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital emergency

Chicago nurses return to work following one-day strike

Nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago returned to work today following their one-day strike against Prime Healthcare’s illegal firings of six nurses. After hundreds took to the strike line on June 11, nurses are back at the bedside ahead of next week’s election to join National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United, the country’s largest nurses union.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United

June 12, 2026

Nurses on sidewalks in front of Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital emergency

Chicago nurses ready for one-day strike at Prime Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital

Nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago are prepared for their one-day strike on June 11 to protest the administration’s illegal firings of six nurses in retaliation for union activity.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United

June 9, 2026

Large group of nurses outside holding signs calling for union rights, patient care, and an end to hospital greed

Chicago nurses give notice for one-day unfair labor practice strike over retaliation against nurses for unionizing

Nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago, Ill. gave notice to their employer today that they will hold a strike for one day on June 11 to protest the administration’s retaliation against nurses who speak out about unsafe conditions.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United

June 1, 2026

RNs at Prime Saint Mary of Nazareth to protest Wednesday their employer’s illegal crackdown of their efforts to unionize

Registered nurses with Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago are holding a rally Wednesday, May 27 at the hospital to protest their employer Prime Healthcare’s flagrantly illegal crackdown on their efforts to unionize, which include the recent firing of four nurse leaders.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United

May 25, 2026

Large group of nurses inside, mostly wearing red, smiling, with raised fists

Chicago nurses win historic union vote to join National Nurses Organizing Committee

Nurses at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, say they voted to join the union because it is critical that nurses have a say in making decisions about staffing and working conditions, which leads to improved patient care.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United

May 18, 2026

Group of nurses smiling with raised fists, holding banner "National Nurses Organizing Committee"

UChicago Ingalls RNs win strong contract

Registered nurses at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Ill. voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new four-year contract on April 7, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention.

July 9, 2025

Nurses walking outside hospital with raised fists

Never Giving Up

Cook County nurses won a months-long battle to get the retention retroactive pay they won in a contract extension. Don’t give up,” said Brenda Langford, RN, PPC member, chief nurse representative at Chicago’s Stroger Hospital, and an NNOC board member. “It does take time to win a campaign, and it can take multiple campaigns to hold management accountable."

December 20, 2024

Group of nurses smiling and holding raised fists

Chicago nurses score contract victory

Registered nurses at UChicago Medicine in Chicago, Ill., voted overwhelmingly in March to approve a new four-year agreement that addresses numerous patient safety concerns. In February the nurses voted 97 percent in favor of authorizing their nurse bargaining committee to call a one-day strike if management did not address their chronic staffing concerns.

June 5, 2024

Group of nurses picketing outside of hospital, dressed for cold weather

UChicago nurses rally for safe staffing

Registered nurses at UChicago Medicine in February authorized a strike after holding an informational picket and rally to demand the university address their patient safety concerns and settle their contract in a timely manner. National Nurses Organizing Committee represents 2,800 nurses at UChicago Medicine.

March 29, 2024

Three nurses outside smiling holding signs calling for safe staffing and workplace violence prevention

Veterans Affairs nurses keep up the fight for patient safety

Veterans Affairs nurses have been speaking out about patient safety and the nurse staffing crisis throughout the VA, holding pickets, rallies, and other actions.

January 12, 2024