August 11, 2009

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois House of Representatives

96th General Assembly

Today I return House Bill 2444 with my specific recommendation for change.  I thank the sponsors for their hard work and the members of the General Assembly for passing this bill.  Although I am sympathetic to the bill’s substantive goals, I find it necessary to modify this proposal.

House Bill 2444 will enable licensed hearing instrument dispenser trainees the ability to gain real world, practical experience and client contact under the supervision of a licensed professional.  While I agree with this goal, during this time of limited financial resources, we cannot create any new programs without available revenue to support the programs.  Accordingly, I am conditioning this program on the Department of Public Health being able to charge a fee for issuance of the trainee certificate.  The licensing fee would be an administrative fee that will support this new program.  The fee will allow for staff support to issue the trainee licenses, competency testing, as well as investigation of any complaints against trainees. 

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 2444, entitled “AN ACT concerning regulation.”, with the following specific recommendation for change:

on page 4, below line 13, by inserting “(d) The Department may establish a trainee licensing fee by rule.”.

With this change, House Bill 2444 will have my approval.  I respectfully request your concurrence. 

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor