(110 ILCS 932/15)

Sec. 15. Repayment Program; Scholarship Program; eligibility requirements.

(a) The Department shall create and administer an Equity and Representation in Health Care Workforce Repayment Program. A health care professional may apply to the Department for loan repayment assistance under the Repayment Program. In order to be eligible for loan repayment under this Act, the health care professional or behavioral health provider shall comply with the following:

(1) Either:

(A) be working at a medical facility; or

(B) have accepted an offer of employment at a medical facility and will begin employment at that medical facility within 90 calendar days after the submission of the application.

(2) Either:

(A) have a degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine, nursing, dentistry, physical therapy, or other eligible health profession from an accredited school; have completed an approved training program; and have a current, valid, and unencumbered license to practice the health profession in Illinois; or

(B) have a degree in a relevant field of study, such as behavioral health or social work.

(3) As necessary to his or her field of work, agree to see and treat all patients at the medical facility regardless of the patient's ability to pay for services.

(4) Submit an application to participate in the Program.

(5) Not be in breach of a health professional service obligation to the federal, State, or a local government.

(6) Not have any judgment liens arising from federal debt.

(7) Not be excluded, suspended, or disqualified by a federal agency.

(8) Sign a written agreement attesting to accepting repayment of health professional educational loans and to serve (i) for the applicable period of obligated service in a medical facility and (ii) all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The written agreement shall outline details of the loan repayment service obligations, including, but not limited to, the time frame required for the recipient to fulfill the service obligation, the amount of service required based on the award, and penalties that may be levied for breach of a service obligation.

(9) Be a current resident of Illinois or intend to reside in Illinois within 90 days after receiving notice of a loan repayment or scholarship award under this Act.

(b) The Department shall create and administer an Equity and Representation in Health Care Workforce Scholarship Program. A medical facility or an individual may apply to the Department to receive funds under the Scholarship Program. A medical facility may apply for a scholarship that covers expenses described under subsection (e) of Section 20. If an individual is the applicant, the individual shall either:

(1) be working at a medical facility; or

(2) have accepted an offer of employment at a medical facility and will begin employment at that medical facility within 90 calendar days after the submission of the application.

(c) A person who earns a degree from an unaccredited school may not participate in the Repayment Program.

(Source: P.A. 102-942, eff. 1-1-23.)