Illinois Statutes Chapter 225. Professions,Occupations and Business Operations § 412/90. Investigations; notice and hearing

(a) The Department may investigate the actions of an applicant or a person holding or claiming to hold a license.

(b) Before refusing to issue or renew a license or take any disciplinary or non-disciplinary action against a licensed electrologist pursuant to Section 75 of this Act, the Department shall notify in writing the applicant or the licensee of the nature of the charges and that a hearing will be held on the date designated, which shall be at least 30 days after the date of the notice. The Department shall direct the applicant or licensee to file a written answer to the Department 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 may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action may be taken, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of business as the Secretary may deem proper. Written notice may be served by certified or registered mail sent to the licensee's address of record.

The written notice and any notice in the subsequent proceeding may be served electronically to the licensee's email address of record, or, if in the course of the administrative proceeding the party has previously designated a specific email address at which to accept electronic service for that specific proceeding, by sending a copy by email to the email address on record.

If the applicant or licensee fails to file an answer after receiving notice, the license may, in the discretion of the Department, be suspended, revoked, or placed on probationary status, or the Department may take whatever disciplinary action considered 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 Department shall proceed to hear the charges, and the parties or their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present any pertinent statements, testimony, evidence, and argument. The Department may continue a hearing from time to time.