A budget deficit in the medical unit of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has prompted legislators to support an increase to physicians' license fees.

The Illinois House of Representatives voted in favor of the bill, SB 622, which increases a three-year license fee for physicians from $300 to $700.

Sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton, the legislation passed in that chamber in February and will now go before Gov. Pat Quinn, who has expressed his support.

The unit was forced to cut half of its staff last month, and the fee uptick would offset a $6.6 million loan used for rehiring.

According to the Associated Press, House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) said financial stability for the unit would be guaranteed through 2027 thanks to the fee increase.