Illinois Statutes Chapter 225. Professions,Occupations and Business Operations § 80/11. Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board

§ 11. Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board. The Secretary shall appoint an Illinois Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board as follows: Seven persons who shall be appointed by and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary. Five members must be lawfully and actively engaged in the practice of optometry in this State, one member shall be a licensed optometrist, with a full-time faculty appointment with the Illinois College of Optometry, and one member must be a member of the public who shall be a voting member and is not licensed under this Act, or a similar Act of another jurisdiction, or have any connection with the profession. Neither the public member nor the faculty member shall participate in the preparation or administration of the examination of applicants for licensure.

Members shall serve 4-year terms and until their successors are appointed and qualified. No member shall be appointed to the Board for more than 2 successive 4-year terms, not counting any partial terms when appointed to fill the unexpired portion of a vacated term. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the same manner as original appointments, for the unexpired portion of the vacated term.

The Board shall annually elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson, both of whom shall be licensed optometrists.

The membership of the Board should reasonably reflect representation from the geographic areas in this State.

A majority of the Board members currently appointed shall constitute a quorum. A vacancy in the membership of the Board shall not impair the right of a quorum to perform all of the duties of the Board.

The Secretary may terminate the appointment of any member for cause.

The members of the Board shall be reimbursed for all authorized legitimate and necessary expenses incurred in attending the meetings of the Board.

Members of the Board shall have no liability in any action based upon any disciplinary proceeding or other activity performed in good faith as a member of the Board.

The Secretary shall give due consideration to all recommendations of the Board.

Without, in any manner, limiting the power of the Department to conduct investigations, the Board may recommend to the Secretary that one or more licensed optometrists be selected by the Secretary to conduct or assist in any investigation pursuant to this Act. Such licensed optometrist may receive remuneration as determined by the Secretary.