West Central Reporter

State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) and state Rep. Randy Frese (R-Quincy) recently met with nursing students from Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Quincy for the annual Lunch With Our Legislators.

Tracy posted to Facebook about the event, and explained the change of venue prompted by COVID-19 concerns at the state Capitol.

“The college’s students typically travel to the state Capitol when the General Assembly is in session to talk with lawmakers about legislation that affects healthcare professions,” Tracy said in a post to her official Facebook page. “This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lawmakers met with the College’s students in Quincy.”

Tracy and Frese were joined for the trip to Quincy by Missouri state Rep. Greg Sharpe (R-Ewing), she said in her Facebook post.

One of the “hot topics” they discussed was the nurse staffing ratio, according to coverage by WGEM.

Tracy said that nurse staffing ratios are a perennial concern, both for nurses and their employers, WGEM reported. She said lawmakers are aware of the worries over negative impacts ratios could have to the industry.

Frese emphasized to the students the importance of reaching out to legislators to share concerns, WGEM reported.

The meeting with senior nursing students covered a range of topics, including the statuses of current bills and proposed legislation, WGEM reported. Tracy and Frese reminded students that they can check on the status of pending legislation by going to the Illinois General Assembly’s website.