Illinois Statutes Chapter 225. Professions,Occupations and Business Operations § 110/17. Investigations; notice; hearings

§ 17. Investigations; notice; hearings. Licenses may be refused, revoked, or suspended in the manner provided by this Act and not otherwise. The Department may upon its own motion and shall upon the verified complaint in writing of any person setting forth facts that if proven would constitute grounds for refusal to issue, suspend, or revoke under this Act, investigate the actions of any person applying for, holding, or claiming to hold a license.

The Department shall, before refusing to issue or renew or suspending or revoking any license or taking other disciplinary action pursuant to Section 16 of this Act, and at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify, in writing, the applicant for or the holder of such license of any charges made, afford the accused person an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel in reference thereto, and direct the applicant or licensee to file a written answer to the Board under oath within 20 days after the service of the notice and inform the applicant or licensee that failure to file an answer will result in default being taken against the applicant or licensee and that the license or certificate may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or other disciplinary action may be taken, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of practice, as the Secretary may deem proper. Written or electronic notice may be served by personal delivery, mail, or email to the applicant or licensee at his or her address of record or email address of record. In case the person fails to file an answer after receiving notice, his or her license or certificate may, in the discretion of the Department, be suspended, revoked, or placed on probationary status or the Department may take whatever disciplinary action deemed proper, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of the person's practice or the imposition of a fine, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for such action under this Act.

At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Board shall proceed to hearing of the charges and both the accused person and the Department shall be accorded ample opportunity to present, in person or by counsel, any statements, testimony, evidence, and arguments as may be pertinent to the charges or to their defense. The Board may continue such hearing from time to time. If the Board is not sitting at the time and place fixed in the notice or at the time and place to which the hearing shall have been continued, the Department shall continue such hearing for a period not to exceed 30 days.