(225 ILCS 410/3B-4) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703B-4)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-4. Except for the violations enumerated below, any owner, operator or authorized agent of a school who knowingly violates any provision of this Act shall be guilty of a business offense.

Any owner, operator or authorized agent of a school who commits any of the following offenses shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for the second or subsequent offense:

1. Knowingly, and for the purpose of influencing or inducing a person to enroll in the course of instruction offered by the school, makes any false or misleading statements, misrepresentations or false promises to such person regarding opportunities upon graduation from the school for (a) employment in a business, industry or trade, (b) admission to an institution of higher learning, or (c) admission to an occupational licensing examination.

2. Knowingly, and with intent to defraud, retains in excess of the school's refund policy prescribed in this Act any unearned tuition or fees paid by a student who has cancelled his enrollment agreement and is entitled to a refund.

3. Knowingly, and with intent to defraud, misrepresents that any student who has cancelled his enrollment agreement is presently enrolled in the school, has completed the course of instruction or has graduated from the school.

4. Knowingly uses or attempts to use students in any commercial or manufacturing activity related to the operation of the school and to the school's advantage and profit; except to the extent that the school provides the student with practical experience supplemental to the course of instruction or except in the case of students who are employed by the school and compensated for such employment.

(Source: P.A. 85-1382.)