DECATUR, Ill. (AP) — 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 measure into law Thursday with personal meaning for 43-year-old Lisa Creason, the Pantagraph (http://bit.ly/2bV89ki ) reported.
After earning an associate degree at Richland Community College in 2014, Creason found out she was prohibited from taking the Illinois exam to become a registered nurse because of an attempted robbery conviction 20 years prior.
Creason vocalized her dilemma and became part of a task force organized by Democratic state Rep. Camille Lilly of Chicago to change the law. The bill passed the Senate on March 26, 2015, and the House on May 26, 2016.
"She advocated for herself and her family," the governor said. "She stood up and said, 'There are barriers holding back good people in Illinois; let's knock those down. She got out there and led this effort, and Lisa, God bless you."
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In 2011, the General Assembly added forcible felonies to the Health Care Worker Background Check Act to prevent violent and sexual offenders from having such licenses.
The new measure allows anyone convicted of a forcible felony, other than one requiring sex offender registration, to petition the Illinois Department of Public Health for a health care worker license.
Creason was convicted in 1994 of attempting to take money from a Subway cash register.
At the signing ceremony at Richland Community College, Creason thanked everyone who helped her efforts.
"The nursing program here accomplished something that my mother was unable to accomplish in 20-some years; they taught me how to shut my mouth," Creason said. "Thank you for offering to help me prepare for my state boards. It's a blessing to have all of you in my corner."
