State Public Policy

The Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promotes public policy and advocate for issues that are aligned with those of our national Academy. The Illinois Academy public policy priority areas help us to strive towards achieving our Mission, Vision, and Values. 

Illinois State Legislature:

Illinois General Assembly - responsible for enacting laws in the state, as well as passing an annual budget

State Legislative Tracking Map: 

The State Legislative Tracking Map provides a list of active state legislation that may be relevant to Academy policy priority issue areas. You can click on any state to view bill status, full bill text and actions taken by the state legislature. 

Licensure Links to State Boards, Statutes and Regulations:

Dietitian licensure resides with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

Meet the Illinois Academy Lobbyist

David Ormsby has developed public relations and public affairs campaigns in Illinois for government officials, political candidates, non-profits, trade associations, and private businesses. Since 2016, David has also worked as a lobbyist for The Nolan Group, Inc., a Springfield public affairs firm and in 2018, David purchased The Nolan Group and became its president and CEO. 

David earned a B.A. in Political Science/Philosophy from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana; a M.A. in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Illinois at Chicago; and a Ph.D. (A.B.D.) from U of I at Chicago. Additionally, David is also owner, president, and CEO of Illinois Public Opinion, Inc., a public policy polling firm.

What are your advocacy goals for the Illinois Academy?

At the state government level, the first aim of the Illinois Academy's legislative strategy is both to promote and support legislative and executive branch initiatives that align with good nutrition public policy and derail and oppose those measures that are contrary to good nutrition policy. The second aim is to position the Illinois Academy as the premier voice and political reference point in Springfield on nutrition policy by not only weighing in on legislation but also advancing forward-looking, thoughtful proposals of our own.

Find My State Legislators:

Thank you for a successful Advocacy Day 2024! In the meantime, we encourage you to visit with your local lawmakers.

Helpful Tips:
1. Locate your district’s elected officials using the map "Find My Elected Officials"
– State Representative

– State Senator

2. Write them a letter and/or schedule an appointment to meet with them in their local office

3. Share with them what proper health and nutrition management for Illinois residents should look like

4. Utilize the resource, “Grassroots Advocacy” and the Illinois Academy Advocacy Day On-the-Go Toolkit 

5. Tell us about your commitment, report your visit/activity

  

Updated May 2024