IDFPR Hosts Turnaround Town Hall for Design Industry

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDPFR”) hosted its second Turnaround Town Hall (“Town Hall”) meeting on Wednesday, April 27th at the Michael A. Bilandic Building in Chicago. The Town Hall meeting provided opportunity for stakeholders from the design professions to engage in open dialogue with IDFPR Secretary Bryan A. Schneider, Professional Regulation Director Jay Stewart and staff. Participating licensed professionals in included: architects, professional engineers, structural engineers and land surveyors.

“We truly appreciate our design profession licensees taking time out of their hectic schedules to engage in open dialogue on a myriad of regulatory topics at our Town Hall,” said Bryan A. Schneider, IDFPR Secretary. “It is our belief that by holding these events and listening to our licensees, we can provide a more effective regulatory experience. The insights offered today will prove beneficial as we continue to strive to create a regulatory environment conducive to strong economic growth and opportunity.”

Secretary Schneider and Director Stewart led conversations on regulatory rules, legislation, fees, enforcement, education, communication and IDFPR’s paperless initiative. Collectively, the four design professions in attendance account for over 34,000 licensees in Illinois.

"Illinois was the first state to license architects and continues to be where the world looks for design leadership," according to Mike Waldinger, Executive Vice President of the Illinois Council of the American Institute of Architects. "Maintaining this position requires a partnership between the profession and the state. The town hall meeting showcased renewed energy and dedication from the department and we look forward to working with them."

IDFPR’s mission is to utilize Responsive, Innovative, Transparent, and Efficient (R.I.T.E.) governance to create an ideal regulatory environment that (1) allows economic growth to flourish in Illinois and (2) effectively optimizes consumer choice.

IDFPR plans to host additional Turnaround Town Halls with other industry groups that it regulates in the future.