A plan sponsored by State Senator Omar Aquino to provide direct services and residency opportunities to international medical graduate physicians was signed into law Friday.

“The global pandemic exacerbated existing challenges for our health care industry, and right now we’re leaving talent on the table as we continue to face a shortage of providers across the nation,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Dedicating resources to help support immigrant inclusion in the professional sector while opening pathways for licensure will go a long way toward ensuring patients can get the care they need.”

The Migration Policy Institute recently found that, by 2030, Illinois’ workforce is on track to need 14,000 additional nurses, while an estimated 12,000 immigrants in the state who have health and medical degrees remain underemployed. In particular, the report found that the majority of Illinois residents whose talents are going unutilized are women, have international degrees in nursing and are naturalized U.S. citizens or green-card holders.

To reduce barriers to entry into the medical profession, Aquino’s new law creates a clinical readiness program aimed at supporting international medical graduates looking to reestablish their careers in Illinois. A cornerstone of the program focuses on helping international applicants navigate the state’s licensing process. To ensure culturally- and linguistically-appropriate services are incorporated, the Governor’s Office of New Americans is tasked with working alongside the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to develop the program.

“By reducing barriers for qualified medical graduates to establish themselves in our health care systems, more people will be able to receive care and treatment without delay,” said Aquino. “The effects of the pandemic are still with us, and this law is another step in the right direction toward embracing solutions to the workforce challenges our providers continue to face.”

House Bill 778 goes into effect Jan. 1.