Illinois Statutes Chapter 510. Animals § 72/100. Investigations; notice and hearing

(a) The Department may investigate the actions of an applicant or an animal shelter or animal control facility holding or claiming to hold a certificate.

(b) Before refusing to issue or renew a certificate or disciplining a certified euthanasia agency or technician, the Department shall notify in writing the applicant, the agency, or technician 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, agency, or technician to file a written answer to the Department under oath within 20 days after the service of the notice and inform the applicant, agency, or technician that failure to file an answer will result in default being taken against the applicant, agency, or technician and that the certificate may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or other disciplinary action may be taken, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of business as the Director may deem proper. Written notice may be served by personal delivery or certified or registered mail sent to the respondent at the most recent address on record with the Department.

If the applicant, agency, or technician fails to file an answer after receiving notice, the certification may, in the discretion of the Department, be suspended, revoked, or placed on probationary status, or the Department may take whatever disciplinary action it deems proper including imposing a civil penalty, without a hearing if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient ground 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 such statements, testimony, evidence, and argument as may be pertinent to the charges or to their defense. The Department may continue a hearing from time to time.