Ten Things to Know About IDFPR Defense in Illinois

IDFPR defense is a very niche area of law. There are only a handful of great attorneys to defend your license in these cases. Contact us at 312-346-5320 to talk to a lawyer for free and get a referral to an attorney with a track record of success.

If you have a complaint against your professional license, your work life is literally on the line. Here are ten things we think you should know about the process.

1. IDFPR Regulates Dozens of Professions
   The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees licensing for more than 100 types of professions, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, real estate brokers, accountants, and more.
2. You’ll Get Notice if You’re Under Investigation
   If the IDFPR receives a complaint, you may get a letter or call informing you that you’re under investigation. This is the time to get legal help. You should not respond on your own.
3. Anything You Say Can Be Used Against You
   Responding to IDFPR investigators without legal guidance can hurt your case. Statements you make can later be used to prove a violation, even if you didn’t mean to admit fault.
4. Violations Can Lead to Serious Penalties
   Depending on the case, the IDFPR can issue fines, put you on probation, suspend your license, or permanently revoke it, which would end your career in Illinois and potentially in other states as well.
5. Criminal Charges Can Trigger IDFPR Action
   Even if criminal charges are dismissed or reduced, the IDFPR can still discipline you if it believes you acted unethically or violated professional rules.
6. You Have the Right to Defend Yourself
   You’re entitled to notice of the allegations, an opportunity to respond, and a hearing before the IDFPR takes final action against your license.
7. Deadlines Are Short
   You may have as little as 20 days to respond to certain IDFPR notices. Missing a deadline can mean losing the chance to contest the allegations.
8. An Attorney Can Handle Communications for You
   A lawyer experienced in IDFPR defense can interact with investigators, prepare your written responses, and represent you in hearings, doing their best to protect your license and your livelihood. Even if you think you are at fault, you should let a lawyer respond as that increases the chances of minimizing any penalties.
9. Some Cases Can Be Resolved Quietly
   With skilled legal help, it’s sometimes possible to negotiate a settlement or corrective action that allows you to keep your license without public discipline.
10. The Sooner You Act, the Better Your Odds
    Getting an attorney involved early can help control the narrative, preserve evidence, and work toward a favorable resolution before the case escalates or you say anything that will take away your leverage.

Getting a letter from IDFPR can be really scary and you should take it seriously. That said, the attorneys we recommend have done some amazing work on these cases and gotten people out of really sticky situations. We can’t promise you a result, but do guarantee we will only refer you to the same lawyers we would suggest to family members and friends who are nurses, doctors, accountants, real estate agents and other professionals.