Lawmakers seek medical society nod on doctor fees

Key state lawmakers say they hope the Illinois State Medical Society can reach an agreement on licensing fees with the department that regulates doctors.

A spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation says layoffs will begin in January if the Legislature doesn’t act to increase the fees doctors pay to be licensed. The layoffs would slow down investigations into complaints about doctors.

Illinois Rep. Michael Zalewski, a Riverside Democrat, has been working with the medical society and the department. He says doctors oppose the fee increase because they fear lawmakers will raid the money to cover other expenses.

Sen. Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat, says she hopes layoffs can be avoided and the medical society and the department can reach an agreement.