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News Release – Monday, August 10, 2026
Gov. Pritzker Signs Landmark Reforms to Strengthen Professional Misconduct Reporting and Patient Protections
CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a landmark package of reforms strengthening patient protections by establishing for licensed health care professionals, hospitals, and hospital affiliates a duty to report accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct and unjustified intimate conduct to State regulators. With this change, the State will have the ability to swiftly open an investigation into the matter and suspend or take other appropriate action against a license, thereby preventing continued harm to patients.
”Illinois patients deserve full confidence that their health and safety will be protected whenever they seek care,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This legislation ensures serious allegations are reported promptly so investigations can begin without delay and appropriate action can be taken. I’m proud that Illinois continues to lead in healthcare accountability and patient protections.”
As agencies that receive and investigate complaints, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) rely on their licensees and the public to inform them of instances of patient abuse by licensed professionals or within licensed health facilities. However, too often the agencies do not receive a complaint, and instead only learn about and can take appropriate action upon these difficult situations when it is publicized in the news or on social media that an allegation or arrest has been made, or that charges have been filed.
HB 3711 addresses this regulatory gap, which was previously identified in reporting from the Chicago Tribune, by requiring health care professionals to report to IDFPR within 24 hours of witnessing, receiving reports of, or having reasonable cause to believe that, a person has been subject to inappropriate sexual conduct or unjustified intimate conduct. Hospitals and hospital affiliates have a similar obligation to report to IDPH, and the bill empowers IDPH and IDFPR to share this critical reporting information.
“With this important legislation, IDFPR can count on licensed professionals to notify IDFPR of problematic conduct so that we can act quickly to protect patients and uphold the integrity of the professions we regulate,” said IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr. “By establishing reporting requirements and improving coordination across the two agencies, we are building a safer, more accountable health care system for everyone.”
