DeKalb Times

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, along with State Representatives Dave Severin and Bill Hauter, unveiled a legislative package aimed at addressing the issues plaguing the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The lawmakers expressed their concerns and proposed solutions during a press conference this week.

McCombie highlighted the frustrations caused by IDFPR, emphasizing the need for immediate action, stating, "IDFPR is too often the barrier to people working." He stressed the urgency of the situation, calling for the agency to address its mismanagement and implement solutions promptly.

Hauter pointed out the consequences of the current licensing challenges, stating, "Illinois is losing highly-compensated, highly-trained individuals like physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, physical therapists, veterinarians and many more to other states." He attributed this outflow to the state's inability to streamline the licensing process effectively.

The legislative package put forth by House Republicans includes various bills aimed at addressing different aspects of licensing challenges at IDFPR. These bills focus on lowering barriers and costs for licensure, promoting license reciprocity, and expediting the licensing process for healthcare professionals and other licensed professionals.

Among the key proposals in the package are House Bill 4855, introduced by McCombie, which mandates the acceptance of electronic payments by IDFPR, and House Bill 1572, sponsored by Rep. Hauter, which aims to expedite licensure for healthcare professionals to reduce waiting times for applicants.

Other bills in the package focus on initiatives such as creating a Licensure Reform Task Force to gather information on licensure delays and costs, establishing a Nurse Licensure Compact for streamlined licensing processes, and exploring ways to expand the scope of prescribing psychologists while maintaining patient safety.

The proposed legislative package reflects the House Republicans' commitment to addressing the challenges faced by individuals seeking licensure in Illinois and streamlining the regulatory processes at IDFPR.