(225 ILCS 305/24) (from Ch. 111, par. 1324)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2030)

Sec. 24. Investigations; notice and hearing.

(a) The Department may investigate the actions of any applicant or of any person or entity holding or claiming to hold a license under this Act.

(b) Before the initiation of a formal complaint, the matter shall be reviewed by a subcommittee of the Board according to procedures established by rule for the Complaint Committee. If a subcommittee has not been formed, the matter shall proceed through the process as stated in subsection (c) of this Section.

(c) The Department shall, before disciplining an applicant, licensee, or registrant, at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing, (i) notify in writing the accused of the charges made and the time and place for the hearing on the charges, (ii) direct the applicant, registrant, or licensee to file a written answer to the charges under oath within 20 days after the service of the notice, and (iii) inform the applicant, licensee, or registrant that failure to file a written answer to the charges will result in a default being entered against the applicant, licensee, or registrant.

(d) Written or electronic notice, and any notice in the subsequent proceeding, may be served by personal delivery, by email, or by mail to the applicant, licensee, or registrant at his or her address of record or email address of record.

(e) At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Board or hearing officer appointed by the Secretary shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present any statement, testimony, evidence, and argument as may be pertinent to the charges or to their defense. The Board or hearing officer may continue the hearing from time to time.

(f) If the applicant, licensee, or registrant, after receiving the notice, fails to file an answer, his or her license or registration may, in the discretion of the Secretary, having first received the recommendation of the Board, be suspended, revoked, or placed on probationary status or be subject to whatever disciplinary action the Secretary considers proper, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of the person's practice or imposing a fine, without hearing, if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for the action under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 101-346, eff. 8-9-19.)