Illinois Statutes Chapter 225. Professions,Occupations and Business Operations § 65/50-55. Department powers and duties

(1) Conduct or authorize examinations to ascertain the fitness and qualifications of applicants for all licenses governed by this Act, pass upon the qualifications of applicants for licenses, and issue licenses to applicants found to be fit and qualified.

(2) Adopt rules required for the administration of this Act, in consultation with the Board where necessary.

(3) Prescribe rules for a method of examination of candidates.

(4) Prescribe rules defining what constitutes an approved program, school, college, or department of a university, except that no program, school, college, or department of a university that refuses admittance to applicants solely on account of race, color, creed, sex, or national origin shall be approved.

(5) Conduct hearings on proceedings to revoke or suspend licenses or on objection to the issuance of licenses and to revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue such licenses.

(6) Prepare and maintain a list of approved programs of professional nursing education and programs of practical nursing education in this State, whose graduates, if they have the other necessary qualifications provided in this Act, shall be eligible to apply for a license to practice nursing in this State.

(7) Act upon the recommendations of the Board of Nursing and the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center Advisory Board.

(8) Exercise the powers and duties prescribed by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois  1 for the administration of licensing Acts.