Over the last eight months, we have remained concerned about the health and well-being of our clients, colleagues and friends. We hope that you are all well and staying safe. Our firm applauds those of you who have put yourselves on the front lines of the COVID-19 virus as well as all of you who Read More
Resources & Publications
Legal News, Articles, Actions, Decisions
Emergency Changes to Controlled Substance Prescribing During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Recently, after Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency in the United States, DEA prescribing restrictions have become more relaxed. Medical practitioners are typically unable to prescribe controlled substances through the use of telemedicine or the internet without first conducting an in-person medical evaluation. But beginning with Secretary Read More
Important Information about Illinois Professional License Renewals
In response to the growing emergency, and in recognition of the financial difficulties many licensed professionals are facing during this time, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“Department”) has ordered that all licensed professionals with licenses issued by the Department that have renewal dates between March 1 and July 31, 2020 receive an Read More
Update Regarding COVID-19
Due to the growing concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the disruptions it has caused, we want to reassure our clients and friends that there will be no disruption whatsoever in our firm’s handling of all legal matters. Crick Walanka Law Group, Ltd., remains open and available to assist you in all your legal Read More
Email Sent by IDFPR to Nurses Fails to Paint the Whole Picture
On October 31, 2019, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDFPR”) sent out a mass email to nurses with professional nursing licenses in Illinois. Understandably, many nurses around the state were quite surprised and frightened to receive this official message from the IDFPR. However, this mass-email should not necessarily cause undue stress.
How Failing to Check your Email could Result in the Suspension of your License
An aspect of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s (IDFPR’s) practice has been altered in a possible attempt to enter into the 21st century – but at a burden and cost to many licensed professionals with consequences that could result in a default suspension of a license to practice one’s profession.
Illinois Chiropractors: Scope of Practice and Duty to Refer
Chiropractors and Medical Doctors in Illinois are licensed under the Illinois Medical Practice Act. The only distinction between Chiropractic Physicians and Medical Doctors in Illinois is that Chiropractors may not use drugs or operative surgery in their practice. Both can treat any human ailment, disease, defect, or condition. The Chiropractor also has that same duties Read More
Disciplinary Conferences at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
A disciplinary conference is an informal meeting with an Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Department) attorney assigned to prosecute a case, and with a member or members of the licensing board or committee of the licensee’s profession. An administrative law judge is not present during a disciplinary conference and no transcript of the Read More
Deciding Whether to Accept a Settlement Offer
Whether to accept or reject a settlement offer involving the reprimand, probation, suspension or revocation of a professional license is one of the most difficult decisions a licensee faces when he or she becomes the subject of a disciplinary case before the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or any regulatory or administrative agency. Read More
Effects of Discipline of a Healthcare Practitioner’s License
The discipline of a license may be either a reprimand, probation, suspension, or revocation. As a result of a healthcare practitioner’s license being disciplined, a number of far-reaching consequences may occur. Such consequences are not discussed at the settlement conference with prosecutors and prosecutors may not even be aware of the potential for such consequences. Read More
Disclaimer: This web site is addressed to those who hold professional licenses issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and by similar licensing agencies in other states. Suggestions herein are, in most circumstances, valid for any type investigation, whether administrative, criminal, or civil. However, it should be noted that in some other states, one who holds a professional license may be required to submit to an investigative interview as a condition of being licensed. Whatever the circumstances, a licensed professional who becomes the subject of an investigation would be wise to immediately retain legal counsel. No content, whole or in part, is to be considered as “legal advice,” and by reading this document, no attorney-client relationship is formed with the Crick Walanka Law Group, Ltd.