General Assembly Approves Medical Funding Measure

SPRINGFIELD – This afternoon the Illinois House of Representatives joined the Illinois Senate in passing SB 622, a measure that provides the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) the necessary resources to license and discipline physicians in Illinois, and to re-hire the 18 employees that were laid off in January.

“I’m pleased that were able to reach a bi-partisan solution which will allow the Department to continue to protect citizens from physicians who violate the Medical Practice Act and process physicians’ licenses in a efficient and timely manner,” said Manuel Flores, Acting Secretary of IDFPR. “The passage of this bill will help ensure that Illinois can continue to attract the best physicians in the world.”

The measure raises licensing fees for physicians to $700 for a three-year license until 2018 and then allows the fees to drop back to $500 in 2018. It also allows IDPFR to immediately restore full staffing levels within its Medical Unit.