No Agreement on Fund IL Medical Watchdog Unit

Illinois officials and the physicians they regulate are at odds over how to fairly cover the costs of a unit that investigates complaints against doctors. Officials from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation want the legislature to authorize them to increase doctor licensing fees from $100 to $250 a year. The department also wants a $6.6 million short-term loan. An Illinois House committee approved the official's proposal Monday and it now moves to the full House. But the department does face opposition from doctors. The Illinois State Medical Society is suggesting increasing the fees by $67. The group also wants to transfer $9.6 million in taxpayer money to the fund that pays for unit. The department eliminated 18 employees last month because of budget constraints.