(205 ILCS 405/15) (from Ch. 17, par. 4824)

Sec. 15. Fines; suspension; revocation. The Secretary may, after 15 business days' notice by registered or certified mail to the licensee at the address set forth in the license, or by email or facsimile transmission if such other method is previously designated by the licensee, stating the contemplated action and in general the grounds therefore, fine the licensee or revoke or suspend any license issued if he or she finds that:

(a) the licensee has failed to pay the annual license fee or to maintain in effect the required bond or bonds or insurance policy or policies; or

(b) the licensee has failed to comply with any provision of this Act or any order, decision, finding, rule, regulation, or direction of the Secretary lawfully made under the authority of this Act; or

(c) the licensee has violated any provision of this Act or any regulation or direction made by the Secretary under this Act; or

(d) any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for such license, would have warranted the Secretary in refusing the issuance of the license; or

(e) the licensee has not operated the currency exchange or at the location licensed, for a period of 60 consecutive days, unless the licensee was prevented from operating during such period by reason of events or acts beyond the licensee's control.

The notice required to fine a licensee or suspend or revoke a license under this Section shall state (i) the specific nature and a clear and concise description of the violation; (ii) the Sections of this Act or rules that have been violated; (iii) the contemplated fine or action; (iv) that the licensee may, within 15 business days from the date of the notice, request a hearing pursuant to Section 22.01 of this Act; (v) that the licensee may, within 15 business days after the notice, take corrective action to mitigate any fine or contemplated action; and (vi) the specific corrective action to be taken.

Consistent with the provisions of this Act, the Secretary may, after weighing any harm to the public, the seriousness of the offense, and the history of the licensee, fine a licensee an amount graduated up to $1,000 per violation.

No license shall be revoked until the licensee has had notice of a hearing on the proposed revocation and an opportunity to be heard. The Secretary shall send a copy of the order, finding, or decision of revocation by United States mail, or by email or facsimile transmission, if such other method is previously designated by the licensee, to the licensee at the address set forth in the license or to such other email address or facsimile transmission phone number previously designated by the licensee, within 5 days after the order or decision is entered. A review of any such order, finding, or decision is available under Section 22.01 of this Act.

The Secretary may fine, suspend or revoke only the particular license or licenses for particular places of business or locations with respect to which grounds for revocation may occur or exist; except that if he shall find that such grounds for revocation are of general application to all places of business or locations, or that such grounds for fines, suspension or revocation have occurred or exist with respect to a substantial number of places of business or locations, he may fine, suspend or revoke all of the licenses issued to such licensee.

An order assessing a fine, an order revoking or suspending a license, or an order denying renewal of a license shall take effect on service of the order unless the licensee requests a hearing pursuant to this Section. If the licensee requests a hearing, the Secretary shall schedule a hearing within 30 days after the request for a hearing unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. The hearing shall be held at the time and place designated by the Secretary.

The Secretary and any administrative law judge designated by him or her shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of books, papers, correspondence, and other records or information that he or she considers relevant or material to the inquiry.

In case of contumacy or refusal of a witness to obey a subpoena, any circuit court of this State whose jurisdiction encompasses where the hearing is located may issue an order requiring such witness to appear before the Secretary or the hearing officer, to produce documentary evidence, or to give testimony touching the matter in question; and the court may punish any failures to obey such orders of the court as contempt.

A licensee may surrender any license by delivering to the Secretary written notice that he, they or it thereby surrenders such license, but such surrender shall not affect such licensee's civil or criminal liability for acts committed prior to such surrender, or affect the liability on his, their or its bond or bonds, or his, their or its policy or policies of insurance, required by this Act, or entitle such licensee to a return of any part of the annual license fee or fees.

Every license issued hereunder shall remain in force until the same shall expire, or shall have been surrendered, suspended or revoked in accordance with this Act, but the Secretary may on his own motion, issue new licenses to a licensee whose license or licenses shall have been revoked if no fact or condition then exists which clearly would have warranted the Secretary in refusing originally the issuance of such license under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-445, eff. 1-1-16.)