410 ILCS 65/3
The Illinois Department of Public Health shall establish a downstate health care program as a component of primary care development. The Department shall create a Center for Rural Health to coordinate programs and activities within the agency relating to access to health care in rural areas and designated shortage areas. The Center may work with universities, private foundations, health care providers or other interested organizations, private foundations, health care providers or other interested organizations on innovative strategies to respond to the health care needs of residents of these areas.
The Center shall cooperate with Southern Illinois University programs and services that respond to the health care needs of residents of downstate areas, including but not limited to the development of primary care centers, the development of obstetrical care centers through affiliation with hospitals and clinics, and the conduct of health research and evaluation.
The Center shall cooperate with University of Illinois programs and services that respond to the health care needs of residents of downstate areas, including but not limited to: developing innovative educational strategies designed to graduate primary care physicians, especially family physicians, for all Illinois, particularly the rural underserved areas; developing primary care centers with comprehensive care, including emergency and obstetric care through affiliation with hospitals and clinics; and conducting health research and evaluation.
410 ILCS 65/3