SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Many Illinois doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers are concerned about losing their jobs due to continued delays from the state agency responsible for approving and renewing their licenses.
State lawmakers passed a bipartisan plan last fall to create a faster and more competitive bid process for software to process the licenses. Although, House Republicans argue that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is still failing these workers as many people have waited nearly a year without answers.
House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said most health care providers are forced to write a check to pay for their license and send it in the mail or take it directly to an IDFPR office in Springfield or Chicago.
"IDFPR is too often the barrier for people getting to work," McCombie stressed. "Significant delays, breakdowns in communication, lost applications and overall dysfunction has often resulted in bipartisan frustration with this agency."
McCombie wants lawmakers to pass a plan requiring IDFPR to accept online payment for professional licenses. House GOP members have also filed bills to lower the licensing fees and create a task force to gather facts on licensure delays and costs.
"Illinois is losing highly-competitive, highly-compensated individuals whether they be physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, PAs, nurse anesthesiologists, physical therapists or veterinarians," said Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton). "These are highly-compensated, highly-trained individuals. We're losing them to other states."Â
Hauter has filed House Bill 1572 to allow the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue licenses and temporary licenses to healthcare professionals on an expedited basis. Gov. JB Pritzker allowed IDFPR to issue expedited licenses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Hauter noted that the process ended and providers now wait months for approval or renewal.
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