Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois state Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) thinks Nurses Appreciation Week should only be the start in showing gratitude to nurses across the state.

“Every day nurses work hard to deliver compassionate quality care in a variety of healthcare settings throughout Illinois,” Curran said in a video posted to YouTube. “But during the past 14 months, our nurses have gone above and beyond to address healthcare needs during extraordinarily challenging times.”

Curran argues few can compare to the dedication and commitment shown by nurses in helping the state stay afloat.

“Families across the state took precautions to avoid exposure to the COVID-19 virus,” he added. “Nurses walked straight toward this highly contagious and quickly spreading virus. The sacrifices they made with their families and put the health of others above their own."

Nurses Appreciation Week is celebrated in Illinois and across the country from May 6-12.

Curran said he personally made the time to thank hundreds of nurses at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.

“I had some wonderful conversations with these caregivers, many of whom continue to work demanding schedules as the hospital continues to respond to COVID-19-related illnesses and other health crises,” he said. "The 743 nurses at Good Sam represent a fraction of the nurses in our state. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to every nurse in every Illinois community for their dedicated service to Illinoians in need of quality health care.”

With COVID-19 cases finally in decline and hospitalization numbers stabilizing across the state, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said that Illinois businesses could fully reopen by June 11, and he plans for the state to soon enter a “bridge” phase toward that full reopening.

Curran has been among the lawmakers in Springfield most loudly applauding that move.

“This is great news!” he said in a post to his Facebook page.

During the bridge phase, some of the changes include permitting restaurants to go from 25% capacity to 30% capacity indoors and 50% capacity outdoors. Additionally, gyms and personal care businesses will be permitted to go from 50% capacity to 60%.