11 healthcare workers lose licenses as IL anti-predator law takes effect

The state of Illinois on Monday revoked the licenses of 11 healthcare workers who previously were convicted of sex offenses or violent crimes against their patients under a law that just went on the books. The 11 consisted of six physicians and five nurses, and more revocations are expected throughout the week, state officials said. All but three who lost their licenses Monday are from the Chicago area. Their crimes included child pornography, battery of a patient and aggravated criminal sexual assault, according to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The law took effect Sunday. It requires that regulators permanently revoke the medical licenses of Illinois healthcare workers convicted of sex crimes, forcible felonies or misdemeanor battery of a patient. At least two lawsuits have been filed challenging the agency's right to revoke the licenses. Two doctors in the Chicago area alleged that regulators are unfairly applying the new law retroactively. They contended they previously were punished and the new revocations represent improper double jeopardy and violations of their rights to due process.