GA Unanimously Approves Dillard, Franks Bill Requiring License Revocation for Sex Offender Docs

May 18, 2011

Legislation that would ensure doctors convicted of a sex crime would permanently lose their licenses to practice medicine in Illinois is one step closer to becoming law.

On May 18, Senate lawmakers unanimously approved House Bill 1271 sponsored by State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo); the legislation now heads to Gov. Pat Quinn for consideration.

“I’d like to thank Rep. Jack Franks, former House member—now Chicago Alderman—Will Burns, and my Senate colleague Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) for their hard work on this legislation,” said Sen. Dillard. “I was shocked when I opened the Chicago Tribune and read that doctors accused of sexually assaulting their patients didn’t lose their licenses, even after being found guilty of their crimes. It is wrong to allow a convicted sex offender to treat patients, and today we are one step closer to outlawing that practice in Illinois.”

Dillard said that currently a health care worker could go to jail for sexually assaulting a patient, but unbelievably they would not immediately lose their license to practice medicine. That would be changed under House Bill 1271, which requires the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to permanently revoke the license of a health care worker who has been convicted of a sex crime.

“There are few relationships more private and important than a doctor and their patient and as lawmakers we must do everything possible to keep patients safe,” Franks said. “Under this new legislation, the general public will have the peace of mind in knowing when they go to the doctor, they are not walking into a dangerous situation involving a sex offender. I applaud all my fellow lawmakers who worked to pass this bill.”

Dillard pursued the legislation after reading Chicago Tribune investigative reports revealing 16 Illinois doctors had been convicted of sexual offenses, but none of the men’s licenses were permanently revoked. He noted that two of the doctors continued to practice medicine.

“It’s disconcerting that Illinois’ regulatory process allows these predators to continue working with patients, despite having violated the law, their code of ethics, and the public trust. It’s absurd that a convicted sex offender could potentially treat children as patients, yet they would not be allowed to drive a school bus,” Dillard said. “For too long there has been a disconnect between law enforcement and state regulation of doctors. House Bill 1271 bridges that gap and inserts common sense and decency into the system.”