Public Act 103-0149
 
HB2238 EnrolledLRB103 30630 CPF 57082 b


  
    AN ACT concerning regulation.
  
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
    Section 5. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems 
Act is amended  by changing Sections 3.116, 3.117, 3.117.5, 
3.118, 3.118.5, 3.119, and 3.226 as follows:
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.116)
    Sec. 3.116. Hospital Stroke Care; definitions. As used in 
Sections 3.116 through 3.119, 3.130, 3.200, and 3.226 of this 
Act:
    "Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital"  means a hospital that has 
been designated by the Department as meeting the criteria for 
providing emergent stroke care. Designation may be provided 
after a hospital has been certified or through application and 
designation as such. 
    "Certification" or "certified" means certification, using 
evidence-based standards, from a nationally recognized 
certifying body approved by the Department.
    "Comprehensive Stroke Center" means a hospital that has 
been certified and has been designated as such. 
    "Designation" or "designated" means the Department's 
recognition of a hospital as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, 
Primary Stroke Center, or Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital.
    "Emergent stroke care" is emergency medical care that 
includes diagnosis and emergency medical treatment of acute 
stroke patients.
    "Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital"  means a hospital that has 
been designated by the Department as meeting the criteria for 
providing emergent stroke care. 
    "Primary Stroke Center"  means a hospital that has been 
certified by a Department-approved, nationally recognized 
certifying body and designated as such by the Department.
    "Primary Stroke Center Plus" means a hospital that has 
been certified by a Department-approved, nationally recognized 
certifying body and designated as such by the Department. 
    "Regional Stroke Advisory Subcommittee" means a 
subcommittee formed within each Regional EMS Advisory 
Committee to advise the Director and the Region's EMS Medical 
Directors Committee on the triage, treatment, and transport of 
possible acute stroke patients and to select the Region's 
representative to the State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee. At 
minimum, the Regional Stroke Advisory Subcommittee shall 
consist of: one representative from the EMS Medical Directors 
Committee; one EMS coordinator from a Resource Hospital; one 
administrative representative or his or her designee from each 
level of stroke care, including Comprehensive Stroke Centers 
within the Region, if any, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers 
within the Region, if any, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers 
within the Region, if any,  Primary Stroke Centers Plus within 
the Region, if any, Primary Stroke Centers within the Region, 
if any, and Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals within the Region, if 
any; one physician from each level of stroke care, including 
one physician who is a neurologist or who provides advanced 
stroke care at a Comprehensive Stroke Center in the Region, if 
any, one physician who is a neurologist or who provides acute 
stroke care at a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center within the 
Region, if any, a Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center within the 
Region, if any, or a Primary Stroke Center Plus in the Region, 
if any, one physician who is a neurologist or who provides 
acute stroke care at a Primary Stroke Center in the Region, if 
any, and one physician who provides acute stroke care at an 
Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital in the Region, if any; one nurse 
practicing in each level of stroke care, including one nurse 
from a Comprehensive Stroke Center in the Region, if any, one 
nurse from a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, if any, a 
Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center within the Region, if any, or 
a Primary Stroke Center Plus in the Region, if any, one nurse 
from a Primary Stroke Center in the Region, if any, and one 
nurse from an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital in the Region, if 
any; one representative from both a public and a private 
vehicle service provider that transports possible acute stroke 
patients within the Region; the State-designated regional EMS 
Coordinator; and a fire chief or his or her  designee from the 
EMS Region, if the Region serves a population of more than 
2,000,000.  The Regional Stroke Advisory Subcommittee shall 
establish bylaws to ensure equal membership that rotates and 
clearly delineates committee responsibilities and structure.  
Of the members first appointed, one-third shall be appointed 
for a term of one year, one-third shall be appointed for a term 
of 2 years, and the remaining members shall be appointed for a 
term of 3 years.  The terms of subsequent appointees shall be 3 
years.
    "State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee" means a standing 
advisory body within the State Emergency Medical Services 
Advisory Council.

    "Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center" means a hospital that 
has been certified by a Department-approved, nationally 
recognized certifying body and designated as such by the 
Department.
    "Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center" means a hospital that 
has been certified by a Department-approved, nationally 
recognized certifying body and designated as such by the 
Department. 
(Source: P.A. 102-687, eff. 12-17-21.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.117)
    Sec. 3.117. Hospital designations.
    (a)   The Department shall attempt to designate Primary 
Stroke Centers  in all areas of the State.
        (1) The Department shall designate as many certified

    Primary Stroke Centers as apply for that designation 
    provided they are certified by a nationally recognized 
    certifying body, approved by the Department, and 
    certification criteria are consistent with the most 
    current nationally recognized, evidence-based stroke 
    guidelines related to reducing the occurrence, 
    disabilities, and death associated with stroke.
        (2)   A hospital certified as a Primary Stroke Center by 
    a nationally recognized certifying body approved by the 
    Department, shall send a copy of the Certificate and 
    annual fee to the Department and shall be deemed, within 
    30 business days of its receipt by the Department, to be a 
    State-designated Primary Stroke Center.
        (3) A center designated as a Primary Stroke Center 
    shall pay an annual fee as determined by the Department 
    that shall be no less than $100 and no greater than $500. 
    All fees shall be deposited into the Stroke Data 
    Collection Fund.
        (3.5)  With respect to a hospital that is a designated 
    Primary Stroke Center, the Department shall have the 
    authority and responsibility to do the following:
            (A) Suspend or revoke a hospital's Primary Stroke 
        Center designation upon receiving notice that the 
        hospital's Primary Stroke Center certification has 
        lapsed or has been revoked by the State recognized 
        certifying body.
            (B) Suspend a hospital's Primary Stroke Center 
        designation, in extreme circumstances where patients 
        may be at risk for immediate harm or death, until such 
        time as the certifying body investigates and makes a 
        final determination regarding certification.
            (C)  Restore any previously suspended or revoked 
        Department designation upon notice to the Department 
        that  the certifying body has confirmed or restored the 
        Primary Stroke Center certification of that previously 
        designated hospital.
            (D) Suspend a hospital's Primary Stroke Center 
        designation at the request of a hospital seeking to 
        suspend its own Department designation.
        (4)   Primary Stroke Center designation shall remain 
    valid at all times while the hospital maintains its 
    certification as a Primary Stroke Center, in good 
    standing, with the certifying body. The duration of a 
    Primary Stroke Center designation shall coincide with the 
    duration of its Primary Stroke Center certification. Each 
    designated Primary Stroke Center shall have its 
    designation automatically renewed upon the Department's 
    receipt of a copy of the accrediting body's certification 
    renewal.
        (5)   A hospital that no longer meets nationally 
    recognized, evidence-based standards for Primary Stroke 
    Centers, or loses its Primary Stroke Center certification, 
    shall notify the Department and the Regional EMS Advisory 
    Committee within 5 business days.
    (a-5) The Department shall attempt to designate 
Comprehensive Stroke Centers in all areas of the State.
        (1) The Department shall designate as many certified 
    Comprehensive Stroke Centers as apply for that 
    designation, provided that the Comprehensive Stroke 
    Centers are certified by a nationally recognized 
    certifying body approved by the Department, and provided  
    that the certifying body's certification criteria are 
    consistent with the most current nationally recognized and 
    evidence-based stroke guidelines for reducing the 
    occurrence of stroke and the  disabilities and death 
    associated with stroke.
        (2) A hospital certified as a Comprehensive Stroke 
    Center shall send a copy of the Certificate and annual
fee 
    to the Department and shall be deemed, within 30
business 
    days of its receipt by the Department, to be a

    State-designated Comprehensive Stroke Center.
        (3) A hospital designated as a Comprehensive Stroke 
    Center shall pay an annual fee as determined by the 
    Department that shall be no less than $100 and no greater 
    than $500. All fees shall be deposited into the Stroke 
    Data Collection Fund.
        (4) With respect to a hospital that is a designated 
    Comprehensive  Stroke Center, the Department shall have the 
    authority and responsibility to do the following:
            (A) Suspend or revoke the hospital's Comprehensive 
        Stroke Center designation upon receiving notice that 
        the hospital's Comprehensive Stroke Center 
        certification has lapsed or has been revoked by the 
        State recognized certifying body.
            (B) Suspend the hospital's Comprehensive Stroke 
        Center designation, in extreme circumstances in which  
        patients may be at risk
for immediate harm or death, 
        until such time as the certifying body investigates 
        and makes a final determination regarding 
        certification.
            (C) Restore any previously suspended or revoked 
        Department designation upon notice to the Department 
        that the certifying body has confirmed or restored the 
        Comprehensive Stroke Center certification of that 
        previously designated hospital.
            (D) Suspend the hospital's Comprehensive Stroke 
        Center designation at the request of a hospital 
        seeking to suspend its own Department designation.
        (5) Comprehensive Stroke Center designation shall 
    remain valid at all times while the hospital maintains its 
    certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, in good 
    standing, with the certifying body. The duration of a 
    Comprehensive Stroke Center designation shall coincide 
    with the duration of its Comprehensive Stroke Center 
    certification. Each designated Comprehensive Stroke Center 
    shall have its designation automatically renewed upon the 
    Department's receipt of a copy of the certifying body's 
    certification renewal.
        (6) A hospital that no longer meets nationally 
    recognized, evidence-based standards for Comprehensive 
    Stroke Centers, or loses its Comprehensive Stroke Center 
    certification, shall notify the Department and the 
    Regional EMS Advisory Committee within 5 business days. 
    (a-5)   The Department shall attempt to designate 
Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke 
Centers, and Primary Stroke Centers Plus in all areas of the 
State according to the following requirements:
        (1)   The Department shall designate as many certified
    
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready 
    Stroke Centers, and Primary Stroke Centers Plus as apply 
    for that designation, provided that the body certifying 
    the facility uses certification criteria consistent with 
    the most current nationally recognized and evidence-based 
    stroke guidelines for reducing the occurrence of strokes 
    and the disabilities and death associated with strokes.
        (2) A Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy 
    Ready Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus shall 
    send a copy of the certificate of its designation and 
    annual fee to the Department and shall be deemed, within 
    30 business days after its receipt by the Department, to 
    be a State-designated Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, 
    Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center 
    Plus.
        (3) A Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy 
    Ready Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus shall 
    pay an annual fee as determined by the Department that 
    shall be no less than $100 and no greater than $500. All 
    fees collected under this paragraph shall be deposited 
    into the Stroke Data Collection Fund.
        (4) With respect to a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
    Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or Primary 
    Stroke Center Plus, the Department shall:
            (A) suspend or revoke the Thrombectomy Capable 
        Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or 
        Primary Stroke Center Plus designation upon receiving 
        notice that the Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center's, 
        Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center's, or Primary Stroke 
        Center Plus's certification has lapsed or has been 
        revoked by its certifying body;
            (B)  in extreme circumstances in which patients may 
        be at risk for immediate harm or death, suspend the 
        Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center's, Thrombectomy 
        Ready Stroke Center's, or Primary Stroke Center Plus's 
        designation until its certifying body investigates the 
        circumstances and makes a final determination 
        regarding its certification;
            (C) restore any previously suspended or revoked

        Department designation upon notice to the Department 
        that the certifying body has confirmed or restored the 
        Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center's, Thrombectomy 
        Ready Stroke Center's, or Primary Stroke Center Plus's 
        certification; and
            (D) suspend the Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
        Center's, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center's, or 
        Primary Stroke Center Plus's designation at the 
        request of a facility seeking to suspend its own 
        Department designation.
        (5) A Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy 
    Ready Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus 
    designation shall
remain valid at all times while the 
    facility maintains its certification as a Thrombectomy 
    Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, 
    or Primary Stroke Center Plus and is in good standing with 
    the certifying body. The duration of a Thrombectomy 
    Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, 
    or Primary Stroke Center Plus designation shall be the 
    same as the duration of its Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
    Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or Primary 
    Stroke Center Plus certification. Each designated 
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready 
    Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus shall have 
    its designation automatically renewed upon the 
    Department's receipt of a copy of the certifying body's 
    renewal of the certification.
        (6) A hospital that no longer meets the criteria for 
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready 
    Stroke Centers, or Primary Stroke Centers Plus, or loses 
    its Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready 
    Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus 
    certification, shall notify the Department and the 
    Regional EMS Advisory Committee of the situation within 5 
    business days after being made aware of it. 
    (b)  Beginning on  the first day of the month that begins 12 
months after the adoption of rules  authorized by this 
subsection, the Department shall attempt to designate 
hospitals as Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals in all areas of the 
State. Designation may be approved by the Department after a 
hospital has been certified   as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital 
or through application and designation by the Department. For 
any hospital that is designated as an Emergent Stroke Ready 
Hospital at the time that the Department begins the 
designation of Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals, the Emergent 
Stroke Ready designation shall remain intact for the duration 
of the 12-month period until that designation expires.  Until 
the Department begins the designation of hospitals as Acute 
Stroke-Ready Hospitals, hospitals may achieve Emergent Stroke 
Ready Hospital designation utilizing the processes and 
criteria provided in Public Act 96-514. 
        (1) (Blank).
        (2)  Hospitals may apply for, and receive, Acute 
    Stroke-Ready Hospital designation from the Department, 
    provided that the hospital attests, on a form developed by 
    the Department in consultation with the State Stroke 
    Advisory Subcommittee, that it meets, and will continue to 
    meet, the criteria for Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital 
    designation and pays an annual fee.
        A hospital designated as an Acute Stroke-Ready 
    Hospital shall pay an annual fee as determined by the 
    Department that shall be no less than $100 and no greater 
    than $500. All fees shall be deposited into the Stroke 
    Data Collection Fund. 
        (2.5) A hospital may apply for, and receive, Acute 
    Stroke-Ready Hospital designation from the Department, 
    provided that the hospital provides proof of current Acute 
    Stroke-Ready Hospital certification and the hospital pays 
    an annual fee. 
            (A) Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital designation shall 
        remain valid at all times while the hospital maintains 
        its certification as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital, 
        in good standing, with the certifying body.
            (B) The duration of an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital 
        designation shall coincide with the duration of its 
        Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital certification.
            (C) Each designated Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital 
        shall have its designation automatically renewed upon 
        the Department's receipt of a copy of the certifying 
        body's certification renewal and Application for 
        Stroke Center Designation form.
            (D) A hospital must submit a copy of its 
        certification renewal from the certifying body as soon 
        as practical but no later than 30 business days after 
        that certification is received by the hospital. Upon 
        the Department's receipt of the renewal certification, 
        the Department shall renew the hospital's Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospital designation.
            (E) A hospital designated as an Acute Stroke-Ready 
        Hospital shall pay an annual fee as determined by the 
        Department that shall be no less than $100 and no 
        greater than $500. All fees shall be deposited into 
        the Stroke Data Collection Fund. 
        (3) Hospitals seeking Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital 
    designation that do not have certification shall develop 
    policies and procedures that are consistent with 
    nationally recognized, evidence-based protocols for the 
    provision of emergent stroke care. Hospital policies 
    relating to emergent stroke care and stroke patient 
    outcomes shall be reviewed at least annually, or more 
    often as needed, by a hospital committee that oversees 
    quality improvement. Adjustments shall be made as 
    necessary to advance the quality of stroke care delivered. 
    Criteria for Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital designation of 
    hospitals shall be limited to the ability of a hospital 
    to:
            (A) create written acute care protocols related to 
        emergent stroke care;
            (A-5) participate in the data collection system 
        provided in Section 3.118, if available; 
            (B) maintain a written transfer agreement with one 
        or more hospitals that have neurosurgical expertise;
            (C) designate a Clinical Director of Stroke Care 
        who shall be a clinical member of the hospital staff 
        with training or experience, as defined by the 
        facility, in the care of patients with cerebrovascular 
        disease. This training or experience may include, but 
        is not limited to, completion of a fellowship or other 
        specialized training in the area of cerebrovascular 
        disease, attendance at national courses, or prior 
        experience in neuroscience intensive care units. The 
        Clinical Director of Stroke Care may be a neurologist, 
        neurosurgeon, emergency medicine physician, internist, 
        radiologist, advanced practice registered nurse, or 
        physician's assistant;
            (C-5) provide rapid access to an acute stroke 
        team, as defined by the facility, that considers and 
        reflects nationally recognized, evidence-based 
        protocols or guidelines; 
            (D) administer thrombolytic therapy, or 
        subsequently developed medical therapies that meet 
        nationally recognized, evidence-based stroke 
        guidelines;
            (E)  conduct brain image tests at all times;
            (F)  conduct blood coagulation studies at all 
        times;
            (G)  maintain a log of stroke patients, which shall 
        be available for review upon request by the Department 
        or any hospital that has a written transfer agreement 
        with the Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital;
            (H) admit stroke patients to a unit that can 
        provide appropriate care that considers and reflects 
        nationally recognized, evidence-based protocols or 
        guidelines or transfer stroke patients to an Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospital, Primary Stroke Center, or 
        Comprehensive Stroke Center, or another facility that 
        can provide the appropriate care that considers and 
        reflects nationally recognized, evidence-based 
        protocols or guidelines; and
            (I) demonstrate compliance with nationally 
        recognized quality indicators. 
        (4)   With respect to Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital 
    designation, the Department shall have the authority and            
    responsibility to do the following:
            (A)  Require hospitals applying for Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospital designation to attest, on a form 
        developed by the Department in consultation with the 
        State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee, that the hospital 
        meets, and will continue to meet, the criteria for an 
        Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital.
            (A-5) Require hospitals applying for Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospital designation via national Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospital certification to provide proof 
        of current Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital certification, 
        in good standing. 
            The Department shall require a hospital that is 
        already certified as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital to 
        send a copy of the Certificate to the Department.
            Within 30 business days of the Department's 
        receipt of a hospital's Acute Stroke-Ready Certificate 
        and Application for Stroke Center Designation form 
        that indicates that the hospital is a certified Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospital, in good standing, the hospital 
        shall be deemed a State-designated Acute Stroke-Ready 
        Hospital.  The Department shall send a designation 
        notice to each hospital that it designates as an Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospital and shall add the names of 
        designated Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals to the website 
        listing immediately upon designation. The Department 
        shall immediately remove the name of a hospital from 
        the website listing when a hospital loses its 
        designation after notice and, if requested by the 
        hospital, a hearing.
            The Department shall develop an Application for 
        Stroke Center Designation form that contains a 
        statement that "The above named facility meets the 
        requirements for Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital 
        Designation as provided in Section 3.117 of the 
        Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act" and 
        shall instruct the applicant facility to provide: the 
        hospital name and address; the hospital CEO or 
        Administrator's typed name and signature; the hospital 
        Clinical Director of Stroke Care's typed name and 
        signature; and a contact person's typed name, email 
        address, and phone number. 
            The Application for Stroke Center Designation form 
        shall contain a statement that instructs the hospital 
        to "Provide proof of current Acute Stroke-Ready 
        Hospital certification from a nationally recognized 
        certifying body approved by the Department". 
            (B) Designate a hospital as an Acute Stroke-Ready 
        Hospital no more than 30 business days after receipt 
        of an attestation that meets the requirements for 
        attestation, unless the Department, within 30 days of 
        receipt of the attestation,  chooses to conduct an 
        onsite survey prior to designation. If the Department 
        chooses to conduct an onsite survey prior to 
        designation, then the onsite survey shall be conducted 
        within 90 days of receipt of the attestation.
            (C) Require annual written attestation, on a form 
        developed by the Department in consultation with the 
        State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee, by Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospitals to indicate compliance with 
        Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital criteria, as described in 
        this Section, and automatically renew Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospital designation of the hospital.
            (D) Issue an Emergency Suspension of Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospital designation when the Director, 
        or his or her designee, has determined that the 
        hospital no longer meets the Acute Stroke-Ready 
        Hospital criteria and an immediate and serious danger 
        to the public health, safety, and welfare exists. If 
        the Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital fails to eliminate the 
        violation immediately or within a fixed period of 
        time, not exceeding 10 days, as determined by the 
        Director, the Director may immediately revoke the 
        Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital designation. The Acute 
        Stroke-Ready Hospital may appeal the revocation within 
        15 business days after receiving the Director's 
        revocation order, by requesting an administrative 
        hearing.
            (E) After notice and an opportunity for an 
        administrative hearing, suspend, revoke, or refuse to 
        renew an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital designation, when 
        the Department finds the hospital is not in 
        substantial compliance with current Acute Stroke-Ready 
        Hospital criteria.
    (c) The Department shall consult with the State Stroke 
Advisory Subcommittee for developing the designation, 
re-designation, and de-designation processes for Comprehensive 
Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, 
Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers 
Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready 
Hospitals.

    (d)  The Department shall consult with the State Stroke 
Advisory Subcommittee as subject matter experts at least 
annually regarding stroke standards of care. 
(Source: P.A. 102-687, eff. 12-17-21.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.117.5)
    Sec. 3.117.5. Hospital Stroke Care; grants.
    (a) In order to encourage the establishment and retention 
of Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke 
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready 
Hospitals throughout the State, the Director may award, 
subject to appropriation, matching grants to hospitals to be 
used for the acquisition and maintenance of necessary 
infrastructure, including personnel, equipment, and 
pharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and treatment of acute 
stroke patients. Grants may be used to pay the fee for 
certifications by Department approved nationally recognized 
certifying bodies or to provide additional training for 
directors of stroke care or for hospital staff.
    (b) The Director may award grant moneys to Comprehensive 
Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, 
Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers 
Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals 
for developing or enlarging stroke networks, for stroke 
education, and to enhance the ability of the EMS System to 
respond to possible acute stroke patients.
    (c) A Comprehensive Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Capable 
Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, Primary 
Stroke Center Plus, Primary Stroke Center, or Acute 
Stroke-Ready Hospital, or a hospital seeking certification as 
a Comprehensive Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, Primary Stroke 
Center Plus, Primary Stroke Center, or Acute Stroke-Ready 
Hospital or designation as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital, may 
apply to the Director for a matching grant in a manner and form 
specified by the Director and shall provide information as the 
Director deems necessary to determine whether the hospital is 
eligible for the grant.
    (d) Matching grant awards shall be made to Comprehensive 
Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, 
Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers 
Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals, or 
hospitals seeking certification or designation as a 
Comprehensive Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, Primary Stroke 
Center Plus, Primary Stroke Center, or Acute Stroke-Ready 
Hospital. The Department may consider prioritizing grant 
awards to hospitals in areas with the highest incidence of 
stroke, taking into account geographic diversity, where 
possible.

(Source: P.A. 102-687, eff. 12-17-21.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.118)
    Sec. 3.118. Reporting.
    (a) The Director shall, not later than July 1, 2012, 
prepare and submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a 
report indicating the total number of hospitals that have 
applied for grants, the project for which the application was 
submitted, the number of those applicants that have been found 
eligible for the grants, the total number of grants awarded, 
the name and address of each grantee, and the amount of the 
award issued to each grantee.
    (b) By July 1, 2010, the Director shall send the list of 
designated Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable 
Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary 
Stroke Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute 
Stroke-Ready Hospitals to all Resource Hospital EMS Medical 
Directors in this State and shall post a list of designated 
Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke 
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready 
Hospitals on the Department's website, which shall be 
continuously updated.
    (c) The Department shall add the names of designated 
Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke 
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready 
Hospitals to the website listing immediately upon designation 
and shall immediately remove the name when a hospital loses 
its designation after notice and a hearing.
    (d)  Stroke data collection systems and all stroke-related 
data collected from hospitals shall comply with the following 
requirements:
        (1) The confidentiality of patient records shall be 
    maintained in accordance with State and federal laws.
        (2) Hospital proprietary information and the names of 
    any hospital administrator, health care professional, or 
    employee shall not be subject to disclosure.
        (3) Information submitted to the Department shall be 
    privileged and strictly confidential and shall be used 
    only for the evaluation and improvement of hospital stroke 
    care. Stroke data collected by the Department shall not be 
    directly available to the public and shall not be subject 
    to civil subpoena, nor discoverable or admissible in any 
    civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding against a 
    health care facility or health care professional.
    (e) The Department may administer a data collection system 
to collect data that is already reported by designated 
Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke 
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready 
Hospitals to their certifying body, to fulfill certification 
requirements. Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy 
Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, 
Primary Stroke Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute 
Stroke-Ready Hospitals may provide data used in submission to 
their certifying body, to satisfy any Department reporting 
requirements. The Department may require submission of data 
elements in a format that is used State-wide. In the event the 
Department establishes reporting requirements for designated 
Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke 
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready 
Hospitals, the Department shall permit each designated 
Comprehensive Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke 
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Center, or Acute Stroke-Ready 
Hospital to capture information using existing electronic 
reporting tools used for certification purposes. Nothing in 
this Section shall be construed to empower the Department to 
specify the form of internal recordkeeping. Three years from 
the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General 
Assembly, the Department may post stroke data submitted by 
Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke 
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready 
Hospitals on its website, subject to the following:
        (1) Data collection and analytical methodologies shall 
    be used that meet accepted standards of validity and 
    reliability before any information is made available to 
    the public.
        (2) The limitations of the data sources and analytic 
    methodologies used to develop comparative hospital 
    information shall be clearly identified and acknowledged, 
    including, but not limited to, the appropriate and 
    inappropriate uses of the data.
        (3) To the greatest extent possible, comparative 
    hospital information initiatives shall use standard-based 
    norms derived from widely accepted provider-developed 
    practice guidelines.
        (4) Comparative hospital information and other 
    information that the Department has compiled regarding 
    hospitals shall be shared with the hospitals under review 
    prior to public dissemination of the information. 
    Hospitals have 30 days to make corrections and to add 
    helpful explanatory comments about the information before 
    the publication.
        (5) Comparisons among hospitals shall adjust for 
    patient case mix and other relevant risk factors and 
    control for provider peer groups, when appropriate.
        (6) Effective safeguards to protect against the 
    unauthorized use or disclosure of hospital information 
    shall be developed and implemented.
        (7) Effective safeguards to protect against the 
    dissemination of inconsistent, incomplete, invalid, 
    inaccurate, or subjective hospital data shall be developed 
    and implemented.
        (8) The quality and accuracy of hospital information 
    reported under this Act and its data collection, analysis, 
    and dissemination methodologies shall be evaluated 
    regularly.
        (9) None of the information the Department discloses 
    to the public under this Act may be used to establish a 
    standard of care in a private civil action.
        (10) The Department shall disclose information under 
    this Section in accordance with provisions for inspection 
    and copying of public records required by the Freedom of 
    Information Act, provided that the information satisfies 
    the provisions of this Section.
        (11) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, under 
    no circumstances shall the Department disclose information 
    obtained from a hospital that is confidential under Part 
    21 of Article VIII of the Code of Civil Procedure.
        (12) No hospital report or Department disclosure may 
    contain information identifying a patient, employee, or 
    licensed professional.

(Source: P.A. 98-1001, eff. 1-1-15.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.118.5)
    Sec. 3.118.5. State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee; triage 
and transport of possible acute stroke patients.
    (a) There shall be established within the State Emergency 
Medical Services Advisory Council, or other statewide body 
responsible for emergency health care, a standing State Stroke 
Advisory Subcommittee, which shall serve as an advisory body 
to the Council and the Department on matters related to the 
triage, treatment, and transport of possible acute stroke 
patients. Membership on the Committee shall be as 
geographically diverse as possible and include one 
representative from each Regional Stroke Advisory 
Subcommittee, to be chosen by each Regional Stroke Advisory 
Subcommittee. The Director shall appoint additional members, 
as needed, to ensure there is adequate representation from the 
following:
        (1)   an EMS Medical Director;
        (2)   a hospital administrator, or designee, from a 
    Comprehensive Stroke Center;
        (2.5) a hospital administrator, or designee, from a 
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready 
    Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus; 
        (3)   a hospital administrator, or designee, from a 
    Primary Stroke Center;
        (3.5) a hospital administrator, or designee, from  an 
    Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital;
        (3.10) a registered nurse from a Comprehensive Stroke 
    Center; 
        (3.15) a registered nurse from a Thrombectomy Capable 
    Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or 
    Primary Stroke Center Plus; 
        (4)  a registered nurse from a Primary Stroke Center;
        (5)  a registered nurse from an Acute Stroke-Ready 
    Hospital;
        (5.5) a physician providing advanced stroke care from 
    a Comprehensive Stroke center; 
        (5.10) a physician providing stroke care from a 
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready 
    Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus; 
        (6)    a physician providing stroke care from a Primary 
    Stroke Center;
        (7) a physician providing stroke care from an Acute 
    Stroke-Ready Hospital;
        (8)    an EMS Coordinator;
        (9)    an acute stroke patient advocate;
        (10)    a fire chief, or designee, from an EMS Region 
    that serves a population of over 2,000,000 people;
        (11)    a fire chief, or designee, from a rural EMS 
    Region;
        (12)    a representative from a private ambulance 
    provider;
        (12.5) a representative from a municipal EMS provider; 
    and 
        (13)  a representative from the State Emergency Medical 
    Services Advisory Council.
    (b)   Of the members first appointed, 9 members shall be 
appointed for a term of one year, 9 members shall be appointed 
for a term of 2 years, and the remaining members shall be 
appointed for a term of 3 years. The terms of subsequent 
appointees shall be 3 years.
    (c)   The State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee shall be 
provided a 90-day period in which to review and comment upon 
all rules proposed by the Department pursuant to this Act 
concerning stroke care, except for emergency rules adopted 
pursuant to Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative 
Procedure Act. The 90-day review and comment period shall 
commence prior to publication of the proposed rules and upon 
the Department's submission of the proposed rules to the 
individual Committee members, if the Committee is not meeting 
at the time the proposed rules are ready for Committee review.
    (d)  The State  Stroke Advisory Subcommittee shall develop 
and submit an evidence-based statewide stroke assessment tool 
to clinically evaluate potential stroke patients to the 
Department for final approval. Upon approval, the Department 
shall disseminate the tool to all EMS Systems for adoption. 
The Director shall post the Department-approved stroke 
assessment tool on the Department's website. The State Stroke 
Advisory Subcommittee shall review the Department-approved 
stroke assessment tool at least annually to ensure its 
clinical relevancy and to make changes when clinically 
warranted.
    (d-5) Each EMS Regional Stroke Advisory Subcommittee shall 
submit recommendations for continuing education for 
pre-hospital personnel to that Region's EMS Medical Directors 
Committee. 
    (e)  Nothing in this Section shall preclude the State 
Stroke Advisory Subcommittee from reviewing and commenting on 
proposed rules which fall under the purview of the State 
Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.  Nothing in this 
Section shall preclude the Emergency Medical Services Advisory 
Council from reviewing and commenting on proposed rules which 
fall under the purview of the State Stroke Advisory 
Subcommittee.
    (f) The Director shall coordinate with and assist the EMS 
System Medical Directors and Regional Stroke Advisory 
Subcommittee within each EMS Region to establish protocols 
related to the assessment, treatment, and transport of 
possible acute stroke patients by licensed emergency medical 
services providers. These protocols shall include regional 
transport plans for the triage and transport of possible acute 
stroke patients to the most appropriate Comprehensive Stroke 
Center, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready 
Stroke Center, Primary Stroke Center Plus, Primary Stroke 
Center, or Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital, unless circumstances 
warrant otherwise.

(Source: P.A. 98-1001, eff. 1-1-15.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.119)
    Sec. 3.119. Stroke Care; restricted practices. Sections in 
this Act pertaining to Comprehensive Stroke Centers, 
Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke 
Centers, Primary Stroke Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, 
and Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals are not medical practice 
guidelines and shall not be used to restrict the authority of a 
hospital to provide services for which it has received a 
license under State law.

(Source: P.A. 98-1001, eff. 1-1-15.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.226)
    Sec. 3.226. Hospital Stroke Care Fund.
    (a) The Hospital Stroke Care Fund is created as a special 
fund in  the State treasury for the purpose of receiving 
appropriations, donations, and grants collected by the 
Illinois Department of Public Health pursuant to Department 
designation of Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy 
Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, 
Primary Stroke Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute 
Stroke-Ready Hospitals. All moneys collected by the Department 
pursuant to its authority to designate Comprehensive Stroke 
Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy 
Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers Plus, Primary 
Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals shall be 
deposited into the Fund, to be used for the purposes in 
subsection (b).
    (b) The purpose of the Fund is to allow the Director of the 
Department to award matching grants:
        (1) to hospitals that have been certified as 
    Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke 
    Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke 
    Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, or Acute 
    Stroke-Ready Hospitals;
        (2) to hospitals that seek certification or 
    designation or both as Comprehensive Stroke Centers, 
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready 
    Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers Plus, Primary 
    Stroke Centers, or Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals;
        (3) to hospitals that have been designated Acute 
    Stroke-Ready Hospitals;
        (4) to hospitals that seek designation as Acute 
    Stroke-Ready Hospitals; and
        (5) for the development of stroke networks.
    Hospitals may use grant funds to work with the EMS System 
to improve outcomes of possible acute stroke patients.
    (c) Moneys deposited in the Hospital Stroke Care Fund 
shall be allocated according to the hospital needs within each 
EMS region and used solely for the purposes described in this 
Act.
    (d) Interfund transfers from the Hospital Stroke Care Fund 
shall be prohibited.

(Source: P.A. 98-1001, eff. 1-1-15.)