Illinois Statutes Chapter 225. Professions,Occupations and Business Operations § 443/125. Investigations; notice and hearing

§ 125. Investigations; notice and hearing. The Commission may investigate the actions of any applicant or any person holding or claiming to hold a license under this Act. Before revoking, suspending, placing on probation, reprimanding, or taking any other disciplinary action under Section 115 of this Act, the Commission shall refer the findings of its investigation to the Department. The Department shall, at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing, (i) notify the accused, in writing, of any charges made and the time and place for the hearing, (ii) direct him or her to file a written answer to the charges with the Department under oath within 20 days after the service on him or her of the notice, and (iii) inform the accused that, if he or she fails to answer, default will be taken against him or her or that his or her license may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or other disciplinary action taken with regard to the license, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of his or her practice, as the Department may deem proper. In case the person, after receiving notice, fails to file an answer, his or her license may, in the discretion of the Department, be suspended, revoked, 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 Department shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to represent such statements, testimony, evidence, and argument as may be pertinent to the charges or to their defense. The Secretary may continue the hearing if the Board is unavailable or for another just cause.