Chicago, Illinois Professional License Defense Attorney
Chicago, Illinois Professional License Defense Lawyer
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation regulates and disciplines licensed professionals in Illinois. IDFPR oversees dozens of advisory boards, covering numerous occupations. The majority of IDFPR licensed professionals are located in the Chicago area. Most Chicago licensed professionals have minimal or no contact with the enforcement arm of the IDFPR. For licensed professionals who become part of the IDFPR’s disciplinary process, the consequences are profound. The Professional License disciplinary process is complex, procedural and time consuming. Licensed professionals facing the IDFPR disciplinary process should seek legal representation from an experienced Chicago, Illinois Professional License Defense Attorney.
The firm’s Chicago area contact information is:
1901 N. Roselle Road Suite 800
Schaumburg, IL 60195
(847) 495-8309
The firm represents Chicago, Illinois Professional licensees possessing the following Illinois Professional licenses:
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Chicago, Illinois IDFPR Investigation Defense Lawyer
The majority of IDFPR Professional License investigations begin with the filing of a consumer Complaint. However, IDFPR Professional License investigations also occur through sting operations, criminal conviction referrals and criminal investigations. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation utilizes non sworn investigators to conduct non criminal investigations of licensed professionals. IDFPR also partners with local law enforcement agencies to conduct criminal investigations. These employees investigate criminal and administrative law violations. Administrative Law Due Process Rights differ substantially from the Due Process Rights accorded in criminal law.
It is important to have an attorney that understands the IDFPR Professional License disciplinary process. At the conclusion of an IDFPR Professional Investigation, the Department has several options. IDFPR choose to close the Investigation against the Professional. The Department can choose to issue a Reprimand to the Professional. IDFPR can also choose to file a formal disciplinary Complaint against the Professional. In some cases, the IDFPR Legal Office can also choose to hold a pre filing Disciplinary Conference. The Disciplinary Conference may result in a Consent Agreement with IDFPR. A Consent Agreement is the formal name for a settlement agreement. Licensed professionals facing an IDFPR Investigation should seek legal representation from an experienced Chicago, Illinois Professional License Defense Attorney.
Chicago, Illinois IDFPR Complaint Defense Attorney
If the Disciplinary Conference does not result in a Consent Agreement, IDFPR can file a formal disciplinary Complaint against the licensed professional. The licensee must file an Answer to the Complaint. IDFPR and the licensed professional will exchange evidence in a process called discovery. Most Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Hearings occur in Chicago. A small portion of Hearings occur in Springfield. The IDFPR Administrative Law Court will set a Hearing date. A Hearing date is a trial date. In many cases, IDFPR will also issue a Preliminary Hearing date. At the Preliminary Hearing Court date, there will be an opportunity to discuss evidence and settlement. Prior to the IDFPR Hearing, there may be additional opportunities to settle an Illinois Department of Financial and Profession Regulation Disciplinary Hearing.
Licensed professionals facing an IDFPR Complaint should contact an experienced Chicago, Illinois Professional License Defense Attorney for representation. Common causes of action for disciplinary Complaints against licensed professionals include:
- Aiding and Abetting Unlicensed Practice
- Cheating on a License Exam
- Gross Negligence
- Failure to Maintain Adequate Records
- Felony Criminal Convictions
- Incompetence
- Mental Illness
- Misdemeanor Criminal Convictions
- Physical Illness
- Sexual Misconduct
Chicago, Illinois IDFPR Hearing Attorney
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation maintains its primary Hearing location in Chicago. However, in some cases, IDFPR Hearings occur in Springfield. The IDFPR Administrative Law Hearing is a formal Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Our law firm represents clients from all over Illinois, including from Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Joliet, Lake County, McHenry County, Will County, Arlington Heights, Naperville, Schaumburg and Waukegan.
After the Hearing, the Administrative Law Judge submits the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendations. In other words, the ALJ issues a written, recommended decision to the Illinois State Professional Disciplinary Board. The Illinois State Professional Disciplinary Board reviews the Administrative Law Judge’s the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendations. The Illinois State Professional Disciplinary Board makes a disciplinary recommendation to the IDFPR Director. The licensed professional then has twenty days to write a response to the Illinois State Professional Disciplinary Board’s disciplinary recommendation to the IDFPR Director. This is called a Twenty Day Notice.
The IDFPR Director then issues a Final Order of Discipline. Professional licensees can appeal the IDFPR Director’s Final Order of Discipline. Final Order of Discipline Appeals are made before the Circuit Court in the County where the Hearing occurred. The Appeal must be made within 35 days of the issuance of the IDFPR’s Final Order of Discipline. Professional License discipline may include the following types of discipline:
- Professional License Reprimand
- Professional License Probation
- Professional License Suspension
- Professional License Indefinite Suspension
- Professional License Revocation
Illinois licensed professionals facing an Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Administrative Law Hearing need representation from a Chicago, Illinois Professional License Defense Lawyer.
Chicago, Illinois IDFPR Professional License and Criminal Investigations and Criminal Convictions
Illinois and Chicagoland law enforcement investigate licensed professionals for a variety of criminal acts. While IDFPR does not possess sworn law enforcement power, IDFPR closely with local law enforcement and the County States Attorney’s Office. Many Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Investigators are retired Police Officers from Chicago and surrounding suburbs. IDFPR will closely monitor criminal investigations involving licensed professionals.
Furthermore, IDFPR can discipline licensed professionals for criminal convictions. Criminal convictions for serious offenses may result in the revocation of a Professional License. IDFPR will closely monitor Criminal Court cases involving licensed professionals. Common criminal offenses that can cause Professional License discipline are:
- Diverting a Controlled Substance
- Domestic Violence
- DUI
- Healthcare Fraud
- Insurance Fraud
- Medi-Cal Fraud
- Medicare Fraud
- Prescription Pill Fraud (Pill Mill)
- Sex Offenses
- Workers Compensation Fraud
Licensed professionals facing criminal charges and professional licensees convicted of criminal offenses need a Chicago, Illinois attorney experienced in both Illinois Criminal Defense and IDFPR Administrative Law Hearing.
Chicago, Illinois IDFPR Letter of Denial Appeal Attorney
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation can deny a Professional License to an applicant. IDFPR Professional License Denials generally occur for the following reasons:
- Cheating on Professional License Exam
- Dishonesty on Professional License Application
- Felony Criminal Convictions
- Misdemeanor Criminal Convictions
- Misrepresentation on Professional License Application
IDFPR issues an Intent to Deny letter to an applicant. An Intent to Deny letter is also known as a Letter of Denial. The Professional License applicant only has a limited time to Appeal an Intent to Deny Letter. IDFPR may schedule an informal Disciplinary Conference to try and reach a Consent Agreement. A Consent Agreement is also known as a Settlement Agreement.
If the informal Disciplinary Conference does not result in a settlement, the matter will proceed to an IDFPR Administrative Hearing. The IDFPR Administrative Hearing is conducted in the same manner as if the applicant was already a licensed professional facing a formal disciplinary Complaint. However, the applicant bears the burden of proof in a Professional License Denial. The Professional License applicant must prove that he/she has the rehabilitation and moral character necessary to hold a Professional License in Illinois. Applicants denied an IDFPR Professional License should contact a Chicago, Illinois Professional License Denial Lawyer for representation.
Chicago, Illinois IDFPR Petition for Restoration Lawyer
Illinois professional licensees who have been subject to IDFPR Professional License discipline in Illinois may file a Petition for Restoration. An Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Petition for Restoration can be used to terminate probation, suspension and indefinite suspension. An IDFPR Petition for Restoration can also be used as a Petition for Reinstatement of a revoked Professional License. A Petition for Restoration to IDFPR must state the factual and legal reasons why the Petition for Reinstatement should be granted.
The applicant bears the burden of proof to show IDFPR why Restoration or Reinstatement of the Professional License is warranted. In some instances, IDFPR may hold an Administrative Law Hearing to decide whether a Petition for Restoration should be granted. The IDFPR Administrative Hearing is conducted in the same manner as if the applicant was already a licensed professional facing a formal disciplinary Complaint. A successful IDFPR Professional License Petition for Restoration requires representation by an experienced Illinois Professional License Defense Attorney.
The firm’s Chicago area contact information is:
1901 N. Roselle Road Suite 800
Schaumburg, IL 60195
(847) 495-8309
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