Decatur Woman Can Petition To Become Nurse Under New Law

A Decatur woman's ambition to become a nurse has led to new legislation allowing some convicted felons to petition the state for a health care worker license. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill into law Thursday with personal meaning for 43-year-old Lisa Creason.

After earning a degree from Richland Community College in 2014, she learned she didn't qualify for an RN license because of an attempted robbery conviction years earlier.

Rauner says this new measure will knock down barriers.

“I believe very strongly that opportunity should be available to everyone, including those who made a mistake," he said. "And this is all part of also keeping our communities safer, and more fair and just. The reality is we need compassion in our criminal justice system.”

Senate Bill 42 provides that health care workers convicted of a forcible felony, other than a felony requiring sex offender registration, can petition Illinois’ Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to restore their license. 

Workers can apply for reinstatement of their health care license five years after their conviction, or three years after the completion of their prison sentence, whichever is later.

Creason, on hand for the bill signing Thursday, lobbied for the legislation in Springfield.

Creason vocalized her dilemma and became part of a task force organized by State Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) to change the law.