Legislative Committee Advances Resolution Opposing Kidney Disease Treatment Delegation Act

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026

Article Summary
The Will County Legislative Committee unanimously approved a resolution formally opposing Senate Bill 3445 and House Bill 4402, citing concerns that the legislation would jeopardize patient safety by allowing unlicensed technicians to perform high-risk dialysis procedures traditionally reserved for Registered Nurses.

Kidney Disease Treatment Delegation Act Key Points:

• The committee passed Resolution 26-4610-01 opposing SB 3445 and HB 4402.

• The legislation would allow health care organizations to delegate the administration of high-risk central venous catheters for renal dialysis to technicians.

• The resolution states that removing Registered Nurses from the procedure lowers the standard of care and places patients at risk for fatal complications.

• The resolution mirrors opposition from the Chicago Chapter of the National Black Nurses’ Association.

The Will County Legislative Committee on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, voted 6-0 to approve a resolution strongly opposing state legislation that would alter who is legally permitted to administer specific kidney dialysis treatments.

Resolution 26-4610-01 officially registers the county’s opposition to Senate Bill 3445 and House Bill 4402, known as the Kidney Disease Treatment Delegation Act. According to the resolution packet, the bills would enable health care organizations to remove Registered Nurses (RNs) from the administration of renal dialysis and high-risk central venous catheters, instead delegating the provision of the service to unlicensed technicians.

Historically, this complex medical procedure has been administered exclusively by licensed RNs who possess the training and clinical expertise to detect, monitor, and treat kidney dysfunction and acute kidney injury. The resolution explicitly notes that technicians “do not possess the necessary training, experience, and skills to address potential complications,” and warns that the legislation would jeopardize patient health and safety.

Chair Denise Winfrey (D-Joliet) noted that the push for the county to formally oppose the bill originated from local health professionals advocating for standard-of-care preservation.

“A friend of mine, she’s a nurse and she’s on the health department board… she’s always advocating for nurses to make sure that nurses are the ones doing these type of procedures and such, rather than somebody else, because the nurse is trained for it,” Winfrey told the committee, referencing Pam Robbins. “I think it is important.”

The resolution officially aligns Will County with the Chicago Chapter of the National Black Nurses’ Association in opposing the delegation of nursing care without ongoing RN patient assessment, as well as opposing the administration of heparin or saline by unlicensed technicians.

Senate Bill 3445 has already passed the Illinois Senate and is currently sitting in the House Rules Committee. The county’s opposition resolution, advanced on a motion by Board Member Daniel J. Butler (R-Frankfort) and seconded by Kelly Hickey (D-Naperville), will now move to the full Will County Board for final approval.