Americans for Autism Advocacy Calls on the Illinois General Assembly to Fix Unacceptable Professional Licensing Delays

Members of Illinois House Republican Caucus still find major issues plaguing the operation of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.  

State Representative Dale Severin (R-Benton, 116th District) told the Carbondale Reporter on March 13th that numerous Illinoisians who require professional licensure to work in Illinois are still frustrated with the actions of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR) which oversees professional licensing.

Despite Illinois being in the interstate licensure compact for psychologists, the Land of Lincoln still has a long way to go in fixing the professional licensing issues plaguing Illinoisians.  Representative Severin along with House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna, 89th District)  introduced a package of bills aimed at fixing the problem.  Americans for Autism Advocacy supports passage of the following bills that would improve the lives of neurodiverse Illinoisans:

• HB 4855 – Requiring IDPFR to accept online payment. 

• HB 5608 – Universal Licensure Recognition Act 

• HB 1572 – Expedited licensure for health care professionals. 

• HB 5007 – Authorizes a task force to investigate licensure delays. 

• HB 3437 – Increasing prescription scope of psychologists while maintaining safety. 

• HB 4642 – Allowing Illinois to join the Counseling Compact 

Despite Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-Illinois) signed legislation into law that would streamline the systems of the IDPFR, the legislative package introduced by Rep. Severin would create much needed reform to the state’s beleaguered professional licensure agency. Illinois has the seventh highest rate of adult autism diagnosis in the United States according to World Population Review.  Neurodiverse Illinoisans are at increased risk if professionals are not licensed in a prompt and efficient manner.  Passage of the six professional licensing reform bills will put Illinois on even footing with its neighboring states that have made considerable investment and reform to their professional licensing systems.

AFAA urges passage of the Severin legislative package.  Please contact your state representatives today.

217-782-2000-General Assembly Switchboard for Springfield and Downstate Illinois

312-814-3500- General Assembly Switchboard for Chicagoland