Illinois Statutes Chapter 225. Professions,Occupations and Business Operations § 415/23.2. Investigations; notice and hearing

§ 23.2. Investigations; notice and hearing. The Department may investigate the actions of any applicant or of any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a certificate. The Department shall, before refusing to issue or renew, or taking disciplinary action against, a certificate, at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify in writing the applicant for, or holder of, a certificate of the nature of the charges and the time and place for a hearing on the charges. The Department shall direct the applicant or licensee to file a written answer to the charges with 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. 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 arguments. The Department may continue the hearing from time to time. In case the person, after receiving the notice, fails to file an answer, his or her license may, in the discretion of the Department, be revoked, suspended, 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 that action under this Act. The written notice and any notice in the subsequent proceeding may be served by registered or certified mail to the licensee's address of record.