(110 ILCS 949/1)

Sec. 1.

Short title.

This Act may be cited as the

Loan Repayment Assistance for Physicians Act.

(Source: P.A. 94‑368, eff. 7‑29‑05.)110 ILCS 949/10

(110 ILCS 949/10)

Sec. 10.

Definitions.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Department" means the Department of Public Health.

"Educational loans" means higher education student loans that a person has incurred in attending a registered professional physician education program.

"Physician" means a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine in all of its branches.

"Program" means the educational loan repayment assistance program for physicians established by the Department under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 94‑368, eff. 7‑29‑05.)110 ILCS 949/15

(110 ILCS 949/15)

Sec. 15.

Establishment of program.

The Department shall establish an educational loan repayment assistance program for physicians who practice in Illinois. The Department shall administer the program and make all necessary and proper rules not inconsistent with this Act for the program's effective implementation. The Department may use up to 5% of the appropriation for this program for administration and promotion of physician incentive programs.

(Source: P.A. 94‑368, eff. 7‑29‑05.)110 ILCS 949/20

(110 ILCS 949/20)

Sec. 20.

Application.

Beginning July 1, 2005, the Department shall, each year, consider applications for assistance under the program. The form of application and the information required to be set forth in the application shall be determined by the Department, and the Department shall require applicants to submit with their applications such supporting documents as the Department deems necessary.

(Source: P.A. 94‑368, eff. 7‑29‑05.)110 ILCS 949/25

(110 ILCS 949/25)

Sec. 25.

Eligibility.

To be eligible for assistance under the program, an applicant must meet all of the following qualifications:

(1) He or she must be a citizen or permanent resident

of the United States.

(2) He or she must be a resident of Illinois.

(3) He or she must be practicing full‑time in

Illinois as a physician.

(4) He or she must currently be repaying educational

loans.

(5) He or she must agree to continue full‑time

practice in Illinois for 3 years.

(Source: P.A. 94‑368, eff. 7‑29‑05.)110 ILCS 949/30

(110 ILCS 949/30)

Sec. 30.

The award of grants.

Under the program, for each year that a qualified applicant practices full‑time in Illinois as a physician, the Department shall, subject to appropriation, award a grant to that person in an amount equal to the amount in educational loans that the person must repay that year. However, the total amount in grants that a person may be awarded under the program shall not exceed $25,000. The Department shall require recipients to use the grants to pay off their educational loans.

(Source: P.A. 94‑368, eff. 7‑29‑05.)110 ILCS 949/35

(110 ILCS 949/35)

Sec. 35.

Penalty for failure to fulfill obligation.

Loan repayment recipients who fail to practice full‑time in Illinois for 3 years shall repay the Department a sum equal to 3 times the amount received under the program.

(Source: P.A. 94‑368, eff. 7‑29‑05.)110 ILCS 949/5

(110 ILCS 949/5)

Sec. 5.

Purpose.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a program in the Department of Public Health to increase the total number of physicians in this State by providing educational loan repayment assistance grants to physicians.

(Source: P.A. 94‑368, eff. 7‑29‑05.)110 ILCS 949/99

(110 ILCS 949/99)

(This Act was approved by the Governor on July 29, 2005, so the actual effective date of this Act is July 29, 2005)

Sec. 99.

Effective date.

This Act takes effect July 1, 2005.

(Source: P.A. 94‑368, eff. 7‑29‑05.)