GOP leaders continue their women's movement

A dozen Republican state legislators -- calling themselves Women's Voice Illinois -- visited Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove Tuesday to ask health-care providers about their needs.

The group of female House members is on a fact-finding mission to prepare for the next legislative session.

They were joined by state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale on the second leg of their three-day tour designed to attract more women to the Republican Party by addressing key issues such as education and health care.

The tour, which started in Chicago, made stops in Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn Elgin and Plainfield. It ends today in Springfield.

The hospital forum, hosted by the Nurse Advocacy Council, brought health-care providers face to face with their legislators.

"We want to gather your agenda as we travel through the state," state Rep. Sandy Pihos of Glen Ellyn, told the group.

Marjorie A. Maurer, an operations chief nurse executive for Advocate Good Samaritan, said Illinois is facing a serious shortage of nurses.

"It's hurting us," she said.

The group also asked for a push to bring back legislation supporting interstate compact licensing.

Such multistate cooperation would allow nurses to practice in other areas without obtaining a separate license in each state. That could attract more out-of-state nurses to Illinois, they said.

Among other issues, health-care providers expressed the need for caps on malpractice claims; opposed nurse-to-patient ratio mandates; and asked legislators to work harder for initiatives to keep nurses in Illinois. That includes tuition reimbursement and scholarship programs, they said.

Legislators answered questions and listened to concerns, both one on one and in front of the crowd.

"We want their professional opinion to help us make difficult decisions about health care," Dillard said.