Illinois Can Suspend Your Medical License for Failing to Pay Child Support

 Posted on October 29, 2021 in Medical License Defense

We have discussed many issues that can threaten a physician’s medical license in our blogs, including allegations of insurance fraud, substance abuse issues, and allegations of medical malpractice. These types of issues usually go through a process that is overseen by the Illinois Medical Board and – depending on the circumstances – often involves filing responses, hearings, and even appeals. However, there is one issue that could result in a suspension of a doctor’s medical license that does not involve that process and occurs quickly once it is requested. That issue is failure to pay court-ordered child support.

Illinois Child Support Law

Under the Illinois child support law, every parent has a legal duty to support their child and, according to the law, that duty “includes the obligation to provide for the reasonable and necessary physical, mental and emotional health needs of the child.” In most cases, child support is paid to the parent that the child will be spending the majority of time with.

A child support order is a legal order issued by a judge and if a parent fails or refuses to pay child support, the state has approved several actions that can be taken against the parent. Some of these actions include the following:

• Wage garnishment

• Seizure of tax refunds

• Seizure of bank accounts

• Liens on property

• Suspension of recreational licenses (i.e. fishing, hunting)

• Suspension of driver’s license once the parent is more than 90 days in arrears

• Hold the parent in contempt of court. This can result in the parent being sentenced to jail until the arrearage is paid off.

Suspension of Professional Licenses

Another option that is available to “encourage” the parent to pay back child support that is owed is to suspend their professional license. This means that anyone who is required to have a professional license issued through the state of Illinois can have that license suspended if they fall behind in their child support obligation.

According to the statute, that suspension can take place if the parent is 30 days or more delinquent in their payments. In order to get that license reinstated, the parent has 60 days from the date of notice to pay all past child support, all current child support, and meet any court-ordered health care obligations they may also have. If the parent is contesting the back support, they must request a hearing within 45 days of the date of notice.

Contact an Illinois Professional License Defense Attorney

If you are a doctor – or any other licensed professional – and you have received a notice from the state that your license is being suspended due to child support arrears, it is important to act quickly. Call The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. at 630-310-1267 to schedule a free and confidential consultation with a skilled Illinois license defense lawyer.

Sources:

https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/license-restrictions-for-failure-to-pay-child-support.aspx

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/075000050k505.htm