(110 ILCS 978/15)

Sec. 15. Powers and duties. The Department shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To allocate funds to podiatric practice residency programs according to the following priorities:

(1) to increase the number of podiatric physicians in designated shortage areas;

(2) to increase the number of accredited podiatric practice residencies within the State;

(3) to increase the percentage of podiatric practice physicians establishing practice within the State upon completion of residency; and

(4) to provide funds for rental of office space, purchase of equipment, and other uses necessary to enable podiatric physicians to locate their practices in communities located in designated shortage areas.

(b) To determine the procedures for the distribution of the funds to podiatric practice residency programs, including the establishment of eligibility criteria in accordance with the following guidelines:

(1) preference for programs that are to be established at locations which exhibit potential for extending podiatric practice physician availability to designated shortage areas;

(2) preference for programs that are located away from communities in which medical schools are located; and

(3) preference for programs located in hospitals having affiliation agreements with medical schools located within the State.

(c) To establish a program of podiatry student scholarships and to award scholarships to eligible podiatry students.

(d) To determine criteria and standards of financial need in the awarding of scholarships under this Act.

(e) To receive and disburse any federal funds available for carrying out the purpose of this Act.

(f) To enter into contracts or agreements with any agency or department of the State of Illinois or the United States to carry out the provisions of this Act.

(g) To coordinate the podiatry residency grants program established under this Act with the program administered by the Illinois Board of Higher Education under the Health Services Education Grants Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-214, eff. 8-9-13.)