(110 ILCS 970/1-1) (from Ch. 144, par. 2781-1) Sec. 1-1. Short title. This Article may be cited as the Nurses in Advancement Law. (Source: P.A. 87-633.)

(110 ILCS 970/1-5) (from Ch. 144, par. 2781-5) Sec. 1-5. Purpose. Adequate health care in this State is contingent upon a large pool of nurses and physicians from which to choose. Research has shown that there is an identifiable shortage of nurses and physicians in this State. Nurses are recognized as experienced caregivers, familiar with many of the same procedures and practices that are carried out by physicians. Many nurses who display an aptitude or desire to further advance their career in the profession of nursing or into the field of medicine by becoming physicians are unable to do so because of inadequate financial resources. It is therefore public policy of the State of Illinois to encourage the establishment of private organizations, foundations, groups, partnerships, corporations or committees organized to provide assistance through grants or loans to nurses and to work with educational institutions to further these goals in order to encourage people in the nursing field to advance into nursing specialties or to pursue advancement in the nursing profession or careers in medicine by making financial assistance available to them. (Source: P.A. 87-633.)

(110 ILCS 970/1-10) (from Ch. 144, par. 2781-10) Sec. 1-10. Definitions. In this Act: "Nurse" means any nursing professional who has achieved a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. (Source: P.A. 87-633.)

(110 ILCS 970/1-15) (from Ch. 144, par. 2781-15) Sec. 1-15. Eligibility. Nurses who have worked for a period of 5 years or more, who are residents of this State, who show immediate financial need, and who have been accepted in medical school, or advanced training in the nursing profession may be eligible for money accumulated by the fund. (Source: P.A. 87-633.)

(110 ILCS 970/1-20) (from Ch. 144, par. 2781-20) Sec. 1-20. Scholarship requirements. It shall be lawful for any organization to condition any loan or grant upon the recipient's executing an agreement to commit not more than 5 years of his or her professional career to the goals specifically outlined within the agreement including a requirement that recipient practice nursing or medicine in specifically designated practice and geographic areas. Any agreement executed by an organization and any recipient of loan or grant assistance shall contain a provision for liquidated damages to be paid for any breach of any provision of the agreement, or any commitment contained therein, together with attorney's fees and costs for the enforcement thereof. Any such covenant shall be valid and enforceable in the courts of this State as liquidated damages and shall not be considered a penalty, provided that the provision for liquidated damages does not exceed $2,500 for each year remaining for the performance of the agreement. This Section shall not be construed as pertaining to or limiting any liquidated damages resulting from scholarships awarded under the Underserved Physician Workforce Act. (Source: P.A. 101-118, eff. 7-22-19.)