Illinois

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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

Daniel Biss holding microphone

National Nurses United endorses Daniel Biss for Illinois’ 9th District

National Nurses United announced its endorsement of Daniel Biss for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Throughout his decades of service as an educator, activist, and elected leader, he has proven that he is ready to put in the work to move forward with transformative legislation that will unrig our economy, guarantee health care to everyone free at the point of service, and provide the tools for workers to organize without interference from their bosses.

National Nurses United
March 6, 2026

Juliana Stratton at podium with crowd behind her

National Nurses United endorses Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate in Illinois

National Nurses United today announced its endorsement of Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate in Illinois. Stratton is running an unapologetically progressive campaign centered on Medicare for All and taking on the corrupt influence of corporate money in politics.

National Nurses United
March 2, 2026

Vision for a Healthy Society (heart stethoscope and logo)

Nurses to host town hall to discuss Vision for a Healthy Society

RNs with National Nurses United are hosting a community panel and discussion on Sunday, Feb.15, in Calumet City, Illinois, to discuss the current state of health care and what it would take to truly transform our system.

National Nurses United
February 13, 2026

Nurse holding sign "Ascension: Be Better"

Nurses urge Illinois regulators to reject Ascension application to close Elk Grove obstetrics unit

At a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 18, nurses from Ascension hospitals will note their deep opposition to the Catholic system’s proposed elimination of obstetrics services at Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove, Ill. to the state’s Health Facilities and Services Review Board.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United
November 17, 2025

Congressional candidate Robert Peters speaks with microphone

National Nurses United endorses Robert Peters for Congress

National Nurses United, the largest union of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members, today announced its endorsement of Robert Peters for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District.

National Nurses United
September 29, 2025

Articles

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 fight to win back pay and bonuses

By Chuleenan Svetvilas

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

Group of nurses sitting at table with microphone for legislative hearing

Nurses fight for state safe staffing law

Registered nurses with National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United joined labor allies on Oct. 3 at a legislative hearing to rebuke industry efforts to reduce staffing in health care systems and nursing homes.

January 12, 2024

Videos

Our legacy: Building union power at UChicago Medicine Ingalls

In February 2021, registered nurses at UChicago Medicine Ingalls in Harvey, Ill., a south suburb of Chicago, voted overwhelmingly to ratify their historic first contract.

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Phone: 312-491-4900
Fax: 312-491-9614

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