Illinois ENA toolkit
For information on becoming more active in governmental affairs in our state, access the Illinois ENA toolkit.
Download the Illinois advocacy toolkitA voice for emergency nursing
Advocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or group that aims to influence public policy and resource allocation. A myriad of issues surround emergency nursing, particularly those that impact patient care and nurses as care practitioners.
Emergency nurses must make our voices heard on issues affecting practice and educate colleagues and legislators. National ENA provides a unified voice through legislative and regulatory representation.
Start with the Illinois advocacy toolkit
National ENA advocacy
Illinois ENA supports the efforts of national ENA and encourages all members to take an active role in addressing issues facing emergency nursing.
National ENA advocacy2026 federal legislative priorities
ENA headed to Capitol Hill on April 28–30, 2026. Members representing their state councils received education on ENA’s legislative priorities and training on effective advocacy.
The information sheets below support conversations with U.S. senators and representatives about ENA’s 2026 priorities.
Illinois legislative information sheets
DFPR — Nursing Education ProgramRegistered Nurse Use of AINurse Licensure Compact (NLC)Health Care Violence Prevention Act Amendment
For questions, contact Thelma Kuska, Chair, or Karen Battaglia, Co-Chair, Illinois ENA Government Affairs Committee.
Get involved
ENA General Assembly delegates
Illinois ENA invites all members to apply to be a delegate to the annual ENA General Assembly. The number of delegates per state is determined by ENA policies and membership numbers.
For information about becoming a delegate, contact maureen.lugod@illinoisena.org or thelma.kuska@illinoisena.org.
EN411 Action Network
Members receive opportunities to engage with policymakers through ENA Action Alerts, along with news, issues, and legislation impacting emergency nursing.
Take action with ENAENA Public Policy AgendaArchived statement: Highland Park, July 2022
Dear Illinois Emergency Nurses Association Members:
The Illinois Emergency Nurses Association stands with our colleagues at Northshore University Health System, first responders, and those healthcare professionals on the scene as they begin to recover from horrific events that occurred at the Highland Park July 4th Parade. We also stand in awe of them, of their skill and commitment, and the heroic acts that occurred on Monday.
Emergency Nurses are too familiar with the devastation that gun violence wreaks on the human body, the souls of those left behind, and the heart of our communities. Emergency Nurses in the Chicagoland area, in Illinois, and the nation see this gun violence daily. Although the events in Highland Park are tragic and unspeakable, the epidemic of gun violence rages on every day.
As an organization of Emergency Nurses who treat those who fall victims to gun violence, who see the damage to families and communities – we demand the ban of assault rifles and the enactment of common sense gun reform. This public health emergency must be addressed at the local, state, and national level.
A team of skilled and specially trained nurses, physicians, and other care providers deliver emergency care. Please take moment to review the statement below by the Illinois College of Emergency Physicians – the state medical specialty society representing 1400 physicians who practice emergency medicine in Illinois.
ICEP Deplores the Gun Violence That Killed Seven People in Highland Park - Illinois College of Emergency Physicians
Sincerely,
The Illinois Emergency Nurses Association Board of Directors