An Illinois House task force has made recommendations for improving emergency medical services in rural areas of the state.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, Republican state Rep. Don Moffitt of Gilson and Democratic state Rep. Lisa Dugan of Bradley announced the recommendations on Tuesday in Springfield. The recommendations come after 17 hearings of the Illinois House's Emergency Medical Services Task Force.

The task force recommended allowing emergency medical providers to complete more training online. It also recommended simplifying ambulance licensing.

Simon says the recommendations are important because residents in some areas of rural Illinois have to travel up to 30 miles or more to reach appropriate hospitals.