(The Center Square) – Some Illinois lawmakers say there needs to be change at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

There are reports that many workers, especially in the health care sector, are experiencing long delays in getting their licenses approved or renewed.

“It just really reinforced what we already know is that IDFPR is too often the barrier to getting people to work,” said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna.

McCombie said the agency requires health care providers to write a check to pay for their license and send it in the mail or take it directly to the IDFPR office in Springfield or Chicago. She has introduced House Bill 4855 that would create online payment options for licenses and fees.

As a result of the licensing delays, state Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, said Illinois is losing out on talented people in the medical field.

“These are highly compensated, highly trained individuals that we are losing to other states,” said Hauter. “Why? Because we can’t get our licensing act together.”

Hauter has House Bill 1572 that requires the agency to issue licenses and temporary licenses to health care professionals on an expedited basis.

During the pandemic, IDFPR was issuing expedited licenses, but Hauter said that has ended and now some health care workers have waited nearly a year for their license.