Illinois Awarded $193 Million To Expand Healthcare Access in Rural Areas
Illinois has been awarded $193.4 million per year for five years through the $50 billion federal Rural Healthcare Transformation Program (RHTP) fund, which will be utilized to expand equitable access to healthcare and to eliminate barriers to care that many residents of rural communities face. All 50 states applied for RHTP funding, and a total of $10 billion will be available each year over five years, beginning in fiscal year 2026.

IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi said in a statement issued by the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), that IHA appreciates the state’s efforts to secure the federal dollars.

“IHA appreciates the administration’s efforts to secure these Rural Health Transformation Program funds, which come at a crucial time for hospitals as they serve rural communities across the state,” said Wilhelmi. “The economic realities our rural hospitals are facing threaten access to healthcare services for millions of patients. In recent years, many rural hospitals have had to make painful decisions to close critical service lines such as obstetrics, while other rural hospitals have closed. The financial pressures from skyrocketing prescription drug costs and the severe workforce shortages in rural Illinois necessitate that these important resources be distributed to hospitals as effectively and efficiently as possible to support the healthcare and jobs that our rural hospitals provide.”

Roughly 1.9 million people, or 15% of Illinois’ population, live in rural areas of the state. RHTP funding will be directed to entities that serve these individuals in rural census tracts across Illinois. Within this framework, particular attention will be paid to sub-populations, such as individuals living with chronic disease and those with mental health conditions.

Click here for more information about Illinois’ application and plan for RHTP funding. IHA was one of the more than 20 provider associations that consulted with HFS on the application, engagement that included nine state agencies and discussions with rural hospitals, community health centers, universities and community colleges, legislators, and vendors. HFS will continue engaging with stakeholders on next steps regarding funding distribution. More information about Illinois’ RHTP application is available here.

Health Care Sanctity and Privacy Act Compliance Information
On Dec. 24, the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) sent a SIREN alert to all hospitals with information related to compliance with HB 1312/PA 104-0440, which created the Health Care Sanctity and Privacy Act. That same day, IHA published a member memo linking to detailed information summarizing HB 1312/PA 104-0440. See a full copy of the memo here.

Notably, the Dec. 24 SIREN alert provides the following information to ensure hospitals’ compliance with this new law:

HB 1312/PA 104-0440 requires hospitals to post, either by physical or electronic means, in a conspicuous place within the hospital, which is accessible to patients, employees, and visitors, in the predominant language or languages spoken in the hospital’s service area, the following information:

• Immigrants with questions about immigration rights or in need of support can utilize the hotline provided by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights by calling 855-435-7693.

• Los inmigrantes con preguntas sobre sus derechos de inmigración o que necesiten apoyo pueden comunicarse con la línea directa de la Coalición de Illinois para los Derechos de Inmigrantes y Refugiados (ICIRR por sus siglas en inglés) llamando al 855-435-7693.

All general acute care hospitals are required to adopt policies in compliance with HB 1312/PA 104-0440 and to submit such policies to IDPH by Jan. 1 for general acute care hospitals. All other hospitals must submit their policies by March 1.

All hospitals must complete the form found here to submit their policies. 

Staff contact: Karen Harris

New Laws Impacting Public Health Taking Effect in 2026
The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) recently highlighted several new laws designed to strengthen public health that took effect Jan. 1, as well as other initiatives that will take effect in the new year. These initiatives include laws related to the transmission of information related to suspected overdoses; required testing for prenatal syphilis; higher education contraception and medication abortion information requirements; allowing for wider administration of epinephrine medication; and implicit bias awareness training for those who provide maternal health services. 

To assist members, IHA’s 2025 End of Session Report provides an overview of the many bills filed in 2025. The report has been updated to include pertinent legislation passed during the fall Veto Session and links to detailed IHA memos on legislation of significant interest to the hospital community.

To help navigate, we have created specific links taking you directly to each section:

• Major Hospital Finance Bills: Information on the FY 2026 state budget, hospital assessment, Medicaid Omnibus and budget implementation bills.
• Playing Defense: An overview of bills that IHA successfully worked to block and prevent from advancing in 2025.
• Favorably Amended and Advanced Legislation: Information on legislation that will benefit the hospital community or legislation that was successfully amended to remove language that would be onerous or detrimental to Illinois hospitals and health systems.
• Veto Session: Bills of interest to the hospital community advanced during the fall Veto Session, including Aid-in-Dying and immigration enforcement legislation.

Free Training to Strengthen Clinical Recovery Strategies Jan. 28-30
Effective substance use treatment goes beyond reducing harmful behaviors—it’s shaped by relationships, purpose and meaningful daily activities. Chestnut Health Systems will host a three-day virtual training on the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) and Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), offering clinicians practical tools to support client recovery. The complimentary sessions will be held Jan. 28-30, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. CT each day.

CRA/A-CRA is an evidence-based treatment model that helps individuals reduce or eliminate substance use by reconnecting them with positive, meaningful sources of reinforcement in their communities. The approach focuses on understanding what motivates each client and helping them build skills such as problem-solving, goal setting, and positive communication. Clinicians learn how to support clients in identifying achievable goals, practicing new skills and engaging in pro-recovery activities that improve overall quality of life.

Click here to learn more about the CRA/A-CRA training. Continuing education credit from NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, is available for participants who complete the full training. To register, download and complete the registration form and return it to Summer Root at sjroot@chestnut.org by Jan. 14.