Lawmaker Talks Bill To Prevent Violence Against Healthcare Workers

A bill aimed at preventing workplace violence against healthcare workers passed in the Illinois House on Wednesday May 23.

This comes as a new survey from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign finds 90 percent of nurses in Illinois experienced violence while working at least once in the past year.

Speaking during an appearance on the 21st show, State Representative Stephanie Kifowit of Illinois' 84th district said something needs to change when workplace violence becomes normal.

“Just two weeks ago a friend of mine sent me a picture of her sister who is a nurse that got punched in the face, broken teeth, split lip, her jaw’s out of line," said Kifowit. 

The Democrat from Aurora said it is not normal and it is not right that healthcare workers in Illinois often face abuse every day. However, she said a new bill will hopefully change that--adding that she's confident the Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Act will become law. 

“I’m expecting the governor to sign it, because we cannot be a state that allows our nurses to work in environments of violence, it’s just not right," said Kifowit. 

In its current form, Kifowit said the bill would lead to new guidelines to protect workers' safety and health, as well as provide whistleblower protections for victims of workplace violence. House Bill 4100 awaits action in the Illinois senate.