Submit a Resolution

Download a pdf version of the resolution guide here.

The Illinois State Medical Society is the voice of Illinois physicians, and ISMS policies and actions help protect our patients and drive the health care agenda in our state. That’s why it’s so exciting that any ISMS member can influence ISMS policy and action by introducing a resolution!

What’s a resolution?

A resolution is a written proposal. It may suggest a change or addition to ISMS policies (i.e., enduring statements of ISMS’ position on an issue), or it may call for ISMS to take specific actions (such as supporting legislation or introducing a resolution to the American Medical Association [AMA]) – or both.

Resolutions consist of two parts: The Whereas clauses, which lay out the reasons and supporting evidence for the proposal(s) that follow, and the Resolved clause(s), which specify what policy or action ISMS should take. Only the Resolved clauses are acted upon, and each must stand alone. A sample resolution is on the following page.

Who can submit a resolution and what if I need help?

Any ISMS member can submit a resolution. Some members will join together and submit as a group. We are here to help. Contact am@isms.org for assistance in crafting and submitting a resolution.

What happens once a resolution is submitted?

Once a resolution is drafted and submitted (by email, to am@isms.org), it will be reviewed by ISMS legal counsel in accordance with our resolution review policy:

1. Any member may submit a resolution.
2. Resolutions must include at least one whereas clause identifying the reasons and supporting evidence for the proposal, and at least one resolved clause specifying the policy or action ISMS should undertake on a specifically-identified issue.
3. All resolutions shall be reviewed by ISMS Legal Counsel to ensure resolutions address matters within the purview of the ISMS. Acceptable resolutions are those that:
   1. Protect the Society and the profession
   2. Comply with law
   3. Improve patient care
   4. Address public health matters
4. Resolutions that ask for illegal action, are inimical to the profession or are otherwise unacceptable as determined by ISMS Legal Counsel will not be considered. Unacceptable resolutions include those that are outside of the purview of the ISMS, for example: unrelated to healthcare or licensing, including electoral politics or international matters.
5. Resolutions that request a change in ISMS policy within one year of action on that policy at the Annual Meeting must demonstrate that either a) the issue is urgent, as defined in the Report of the Committee on Rules and Order of Business, or b) new information has been identified supporting a change in policy. Resolutions that do not satisfy these criteria are deemed unacceptable.
6. Resolutions that request a legislative or regulatory change should use clear text recommending that ISMS pursue legislative or regulatory changes that are consistent with current ISMS legislative efforts: “RESOLVED, that ISMS pursue legislative [and/or regulatory] changes which are consistent with the Society’s current legislative [and/or regulatory] efforts concerning [topic].
7. When determining whether a resolution is acceptable, resolutions that request a legislative or regulatory change shall be considered in light of current ISMS legislative and regulatory positions and commitments.
8. The ISMS Legal Counsel will review and offer recommendations for all resolutions to the ISMS Board Chair & ISMS Speaker as to whether an item is deemed acceptable or unacceptable for consideration.
9. Acceptable resolutions are assigned to a council or committee for consideration.
10. Unacceptable resolutions will not be considered or appear on the consent calendar provided to the members participating in the Annual Meeting.
11. If an adopted resolution is subsequently found unacceptable by legal counsel, and after consultation among legal counsel, the ISMS Speaker, and the Chair of the Board of Trustees, has taken place, the Board of Trustees may defer implementation on the resolution until the next session of the Annual Meeting and recommend rescission or amendment of the resolution.

For accepted resolutions, prior to reviewa by a Council, input will be solicited from all ISMS members, typically through an online survey. The resolution author will also be invited to participate in the council meeting at which it will be discussed. The council will then make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, which will act on the resolution.

At the ISMS Annual Meeting – open to full participation and voting by all ISMS members – a report of the Board’s actions will be given. The members present will then have an opportunity to extract any resolution for further discussion

When are resolutions due?

ISMS accepts resolutions year-round, and they are acted on by the Board of Trustees at its quarterly meetings. The resolutions process allows ISMS to more swiftly react to emerging practice challenges. Resolutions may be submitted at any time. However, please make note of these important deadlines:
 

* Resolutions arriving after the Annual Meeting deadline will not be considered "on time." No exceptions will be granted unless the resolution is considered "urgent" by the Committee on Rules and Order of Business. Any resolutions received after the deadline would be considered by a council for Board action later in 2026, which would then be reported on the consent calendar at the 2027 Annual Meeting.

"Urgent" means a resolution which meets these criteria:

• The resolution concerns a current, pending, legislative, regulatory or judicial matter;
• The resolution concerns a matter that has arisen 45 or fewer days before the Annual Meeting and that the Board Chair and Speaker believe does not require additional study or research.

ISMS is committed to transparency and maximizing member input, and this process was designed with these goals in mind. Thank you for your membership and participation! Please make your voice heard by submitting a resolution today!

Shastri Swaminathan, M.D.
Speaker

Steven Williams, M.D.
Vice-Speaker