SB3275 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 15977 MLM 40294 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB3275

Introduced 2/19/2016, by Sen. Michael Connelly

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 427/15
225 ILCS 427/45
225 ILCS 427/50
225 ILCS 427/60
225 ILCS 427/85
225 ILCS 454/10-20
225 ILCS 454/20-20

Amends the Community Association Manager Licensing and Disciplinary Act. Removes the requirement that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation use licensing examination standards from the National Organization for Competency Assurances. Provides that no supervisory community association manager may be the designated supervisory community association manager for more than one firm, corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity (rather than no community association manager may be the licensee-in-charge for more than one firm, corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity). Provides that the Department may require a person whose license is lapsed to complete a period of evaluated experience (rather than evaluated clinical experience). Makes technical changes. Amends the Real Estate License Act of 2000. Includes limited liability companies in provisions concerning a sponsoring broker in an employment agreement with a licensee. Makes grammatical changes. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Community Association Manager Licensing and Disciplinary Act is amended by changing Sections 15, 45, 50, 60, and 85 as follows:

(225 ILCS 427/15)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 15. License required. It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity to provide community association management services, provide services as a community association manager, or hold himself, herself, or itself out as a community association manager or community association management firm to any community association in this State, unless he, she, or it holds a current and valid license issued licensed by the Department or is otherwise exempt from licensure under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-365, eff. 1-1-14.)

(225 ILCS 427/45)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 45. Examinations.

(a) The Department shall authorize examinations of applicants for licensure as a community association manager at such times and places as it may determine. The examination of applicants shall be of a character to give a fair test of the qualifications of the applicant to practice as a community association manager.

(b) Applicants for examination shall be required to pay, either to the Department or the designated testing service, a fee covering the cost of providing the examination.

(c) The Department may employ consultants for the purpose of preparing and conducting examinations.

(d) An applicant shall be eligible to take the examination only after successfully completing the education requirements set forth in this Act and attaining the minimum age required under this Act.

(e) The examination approved by the Department should utilize the basic principles of professional testing standards utilizing psychometric measurement. The examination shall use standards set forth by the National Organization for Competency Assurances and shall be approved by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 96-726, eff. 7-1-10.)

(225 ILCS 427/50)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 50. Community association management firm.

(a) No corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity shall provide or offer to provide community association management services, unless it has applied in writing on the prescribed forms and has paid the required nonrefundable fees and provided evidence to the Department that the firm has designated a licensed supervising community association manager to supervise and manage the firm. A designated supervising community association manager shall be a continuing requirement of firm licensure. No supervising community association manager may be the supervising community association manager for more than one firm.

(b) Any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity that is providing, or offering to provide, community association management services and is not in compliance with Section 50 and other provisions of this Act shall be subject to the fines, injunctions, cease and desist provisions, and penalties provided for in Sections 90, 92, and 155 of this Act.

(c) No supervisory community association manager may be the designated supervisory community association manager licensee-in-charge for more than one firm, corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity.

(Source: P.A. 98-365, eff. 1-1-14.)

(225 ILCS 427/60)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 60. Licenses; renewals; restoration; person in military service.

(a) The expiration date and renewal period for each license issued under this Act shall be set by rule. The Department may promulgate rules requiring continuing education and set all necessary requirements for such, including but not limited to fees, approved coursework, number of hours, and waivers of continuing education.

(b) Any licensee who has permitted his, her, or its license to expire may have the license restored by making application to the Department and filing proof acceptable to the Department of fitness to have his, her, or its license restored, by which may include sworn evidence certifying to active practice in another jurisdiction satisfactory to the Department, complying with any continuing education requirements, and paying the required restoration fee.

(c) If the person has not maintained an active practice in another jurisdiction satisfactory to the Department, the Department shall determine, by an evaluation program established by rule, the person's fitness to resume active status and may require the person to complete a period of evaluated clinical experience and successful completion of a practical examination. However, any person whose license expired while (i) in federal service on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States or called into service or training with the State Militia or (ii) in training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service may have his or her license renewed or restored without paying any lapsed renewal fees if, within 2 years after honorable termination of the service, training or education, except under condition other than honorable, he or she furnishes the Department with satisfactory evidence to the effect that he or she has been so engaged and that the service, training, or education has been so terminated.

(d) A community association manager, community association management firm or supervising community association manager who notifies the Department, in writing on forms prescribed by the Department, may place his, her, or its license on inactive status and shall be excused from the payment of renewal fees until the person notifies the Department in writing of the intention to resume active practice.

(e) A community association manager, community association management firm, or supervising community association manager requesting his, her, or its license be changed from inactive to active status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee and shall also demonstrate compliance with the continuing education requirements.

(f) Any licensee with a nonrenewed or on inactive license status shall not provide community association management services as set forth in this Act.

(g) Any person violating subsection (f) of this Section shall be considered to be practicing without a license and will be subject to the disciplinary provisions of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-365, eff. 1-1-14.)

(225 ILCS 427/85)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 85. Grounds for discipline; refusal, revocation, or suspension.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew a license, or may place on probation, reprimand, suspend, or revoke any license, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper and impose a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each violation upon any licensee or applicant under this Act or any person or entity who holds himself, herself, or itself out as an applicant or licensee for any one or combination of the following causes:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(2) Violations of this Act or its rules.

(3) Conviction of or entry of a plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or a misdemeanor under the laws of the United States, any state, or any other jurisdiction or entry of an administrative sanction by a government agency in this State or any other jurisdiction. Action taken under this paragraph (3) for a misdemeanor or an administrative sanction is limited to a misdemeanor or administrative sanction that has as an essential element dishonesty or fraud, that involves larceny, embezzlement, or obtaining money, property, or credit by false pretenses or by means of a confidence game, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(4) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining a license or violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(5) Professional incompetence.

(6) Gross negligence.

(7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(8) Failing, within 30 days, to provide information in response to a request made by the Department.

(9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public as defined by the rules of the Department, or violating the rules of professional conduct adopted by the Department.

(10) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(11) Having been disciplined by another state, the District of Columbia, a territory, a foreign nation, or a governmental agency authorized to impose discipline if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent of one of the grounds for which a licensee may be disciplined under this Act. A certified copy of the record of the action by the other state or jurisdiction shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

(12) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional services not actually or personally rendered.

(13) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his, her, or its license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(14) Willfully making or filing false records or reports relating to a licensee's practice, including but not limited to false records filed with any State or federal agencies or departments.

(15) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(16) Physical illness or mental illness or impairment, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill that results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(17) Solicitation of professional services by using false or misleading advertising.

(18) A finding that licensure has been applied for or obtained by fraudulent means.

(19) Practicing or attempting to practice under a name other than the full name as shown on the license or any other legally authorized name.

(20) Gross overcharging for professional services including, but not limited to, (i) collection of fees or moneys for services that are not rendered; and (ii) charging for services that are not in accordance with the contract between the licensee and the community association.

(21) Improper commingling of personal and client funds in violation of this Act or any rules promulgated thereto.

(22) Failing to account for or remit any moneys or documents coming into the licensee's possession that belong to another person or entity.

(23) Giving differential treatment to a person that is to that person's detriment because of race, color, creed, sex, religion, or national origin.

(24) Performing and charging for services without reasonable authorization to do so from the person or entity for whom service is being provided.

(25) Failing to make available to the Department, upon request, any books, records, or forms required by this Act.

(26) Purporting to be a supervising community association manager of a firm without active participation in the firm.

(27) Failing to make available to the Department at the time of the request any indicia of licensure or registration issued under this Act.

(28) Failing to maintain and deposit funds belonging to a community association in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 55 of this Act.

(29) Violating the terms of a disciplinary order issued by the Department.

(b) In accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15), the Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State.

(c) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will terminate only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and upon the recommendation of the Board to the Secretary that the licensee be allowed to resume his or her practice as a licensed community association manager.

(d) In accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15), the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of that tax Act are satisfied.

(e) In accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15) and in cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

(f) In enforcing this Section, the Department or Board upon a showing of a possible violation may compel a licensee or an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall be grounds for suspension of his or her license or denial of his or her application or renewal until the individual submits to the examination if the Department finds, after notice and hearing, that the refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable cause.

If the Department or Board finds an individual unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department or Board may require that individual to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department or Board, as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice; or, in lieu of care, counseling, or treatment, the Department may file, or the Board may recommend to the Department to file, a complaint to immediately suspend, revoke, deny, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. An individual whose license was granted, continued, reinstated, renewed, disciplined or supervised subject to such terms, conditions, or restrictions, and who fails to comply with such terms, conditions, or restrictions, shall be referred to the Secretary for a determination as to whether the individual shall have his or her license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 30 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 97-333, eff. 8-12-11; 98-365, eff. 1-1-14; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 10. The Real Estate License Act of 2000 is amended by changing Sections 10-20 and 20-20 as follows:

(225 ILCS 454/10-20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 10-20. Sponsoring broker; employment agreement.

(a) A licensee may perform activities as a licensee only for his or her sponsoring broker. A licensee must have only one sponsoring broker at any one time.

(b) Every broker who employs licensees or has an independent contractor relationship with a licensee shall have a written employment agreement with each such licensee. The broker having this written employment agreement with the licensee must be that licensee's sponsoring broker.

(c) Every sponsoring broker must have a written employment agreement with each licensee the broker sponsors. The agreement shall address the employment or independent contractor relationship terms, including without limitation supervision, duties, compensation, and termination.

(d) Every sponsoring broker must have a written employment agreement with each licensed personal assistant who assists a licensee sponsored by the sponsoring broker. This requirement applies to all licensed personal assistants whether or not they perform licensed activities in their capacity as a personal assistant. The agreement shall address the employment or independent contractor relationship terms, including without limitation supervision, duties, compensation, and termination.

(e) Notwithstanding the fact that a sponsoring broker has an employment agreement with a licensee, a sponsoring broker may pay compensation directly to a corporation or limited liability company solely owned by that licensee that has been formed for the purpose of receiving compensation earned by the licensee. A corporation or limited liability company formed for the purpose herein stated in this subsection (e) shall not be required to be licensed under this Act so long as the person who is the sole shareholder of the corporation or sole member of the limited liability company is licensed.

(Source: P.A. 91-245, eff. 12-31-99.)

(225 ILCS 454/20-20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 20-20. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew a license, may place on probation, suspend, or revoke any license, reprimand, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper and impose a fine not to exceed $25,000 upon any licensee or applicant under this Act or any person who holds himself or herself out as an applicant or licensee or against a licensee in handling his or her own property, whether held by deed, option, or otherwise, for any one or any combination of the following causes:

(1) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for, or procuring, a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(2) The conviction of or plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or misdemeanor in this State or any other jurisdiction; or the entry of an administrative sanction by a government agency in this State or any other jurisdiction. Action taken under this paragraph (2) for a misdemeanor or an administrative sanction is limited to a misdemeanor or administrative sanction that has as an essential element dishonesty or fraud or involves larceny, embezzlement, or obtaining money, property, or credit by false pretenses or by means of a confidence game.

(3) Inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of a physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, or a mental illness or disability.

(4) Practice under this Act as a licensee in a retail sales establishment from an office, desk, or space that is not separated from the main retail business by a separate and distinct area within the establishment.

(5) Having been disciplined by another state, the District of Columbia, a territory, a foreign nation, or a governmental agency authorized to impose discipline if at least one of the grounds for that discipline is the same as or the equivalent of one of the grounds for which a licensee may be disciplined under this Act. A certified copy of the record of the action by the other state or jurisdiction shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

(6) Engaging in the practice of real estate brokerage without a license or after the licensee's license was expired or while the license was inoperative.

(7) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the Real Estate License Exam or continuing education exam.

(8) Aiding or abetting an applicant to subvert or cheat on the Real Estate License Exam or continuing education exam administered pursuant to this Act.

(9) Advertising that is inaccurate, misleading, or contrary to the provisions of the Act.

(10) Making any substantial misrepresentation or untruthful advertising.

(11) Making any false promises of a character likely to influence, persuade, or induce.

(12) Pursuing a continued and flagrant course of misrepresentation or the making of false promises through licensees, employees, agents, advertising, or otherwise.

(13) Any misleading or untruthful advertising, or using any trade name or insignia of membership in any real estate organization of which the licensee is not a member.

(14) Acting for more than one party in a transaction without providing written notice to all parties for whom the licensee acts.

(15) Representing or attempting to represent a broker other than the sponsoring broker.

(16) Failure to account for or to remit any moneys or documents coming into his or her possession that belong to others.

(17) Failure to maintain and deposit in a special account, separate and apart from personal and other business accounts, all escrow moneys belonging to others entrusted to a licensee while acting as a broker, escrow agent, or temporary custodian of the funds of others or failure to maintain all escrow moneys on deposit in the account until the transactions are consummated or terminated, except to the extent that the moneys, or any part thereof, shall be:

(A) disbursed prior to the consummation or termination (i) in accordance with the written direction of the principals to the transaction or their duly authorized agents, (ii) in accordance with directions providing for the release, payment, or distribution of escrow moneys contained in any written contract signed by the principals to the transaction or their duly authorized agents, or (iii) pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or

(B) deemed abandoned and transferred to the Office of the State Treasurer to be handled as unclaimed property pursuant to the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Escrow moneys may be deemed abandoned under this subparagraph (B) only: (i) in the absence of disbursement under subparagraph (A); (ii) in the absence of notice of the filing of any claim in a court of competent jurisdiction; and (iii) if 6 months have elapsed after the receipt of a written demand for the escrow moneys from one of the principals to the transaction or the principal's duly authorized agent.

The account shall be noninterest bearing, unless the character of the deposit is such that payment of interest thereon is otherwise required by law or unless the principals to the transaction specifically require, in writing, that the deposit be placed in an interest bearing account.

(18) Failure to make available to the Department all escrow records and related documents maintained in connection with the practice of real estate within 24 hours of a request for those documents by Department personnel.

(19) Failing to furnish copies upon request of documents relating to a real estate transaction to a party who has executed that document.

(20) Failure of a sponsoring broker to timely provide information, sponsor cards, or termination of licenses to the Department.

(21) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(22) Commingling the money or property of others with his or her own money or property.

(23) Employing any person on a purely temporary or single deal basis as a means of evading the law regarding payment of commission to nonlicensees on some contemplated transactions.

(24) Permitting the use of his or her license as a broker to enable a leasing agent or unlicensed person to operate a real estate business without actual participation therein and control thereof by the broker.

(25) Any other conduct, whether of the same or a different character from that specified in this Section, that constitutes dishonest dealing.

(26) Displaying a "for rent" or "for sale" sign on any property without the written consent of an owner or his or her duly authorized agent or advertising by any means that any property is for sale or for rent without the written consent of the owner or his or her authorized agent.

(27) Failing to provide information requested by the Department, or otherwise respond to that request, within 30 days of the request.

(28) Advertising by means of a blind advertisement, except as otherwise permitted in Section 10-30 of this Act.

(29) Offering guaranteed sales plans, as defined in clause (A) of this subdivision (29), except to the extent hereinafter set forth:

(A) A "guaranteed sales plan" is any real estate purchase or sales plan whereby a licensee enters into a conditional or unconditional written contract with a seller, prior to entering into a brokerage agreement with the seller, by the terms of which a licensee agrees to purchase a property of the seller within a specified period of time at a specific price in the event the property is not sold in accordance with the terms of a brokerage agreement to be entered into between the sponsoring broker and the seller.

(B) A licensee offering a guaranteed sales plan shall provide the details and conditions of the plan in writing to the party to whom the plan is offered.

(C) A licensee offering a guaranteed sales plan shall provide to the party to whom the plan is offered evidence of sufficient financial resources to satisfy the commitment to purchase undertaken by the broker in the plan.

(D) Any licensee offering a guaranteed sales plan shall undertake to market the property of the seller subject to the plan in the same manner in which the broker would market any other property, unless the agreement with the seller provides otherwise.

(E) The licensee cannot purchase seller's property until the brokerage agreement has ended according to its terms or is otherwise terminated.

(F) Any licensee who fails to perform on a guaranteed sales plan in strict accordance with its terms shall be subject to all the penalties provided in this Act for violations thereof and, in addition, shall be subject to a civil fine payable to the party injured by the default in an amount of up to $25,000.

(30) Influencing or attempting to influence, by any words or acts, a prospective seller, purchaser, occupant, landlord, or tenant of real estate, in connection with viewing, buying, or leasing real estate, so as to promote or tend to promote the continuance or maintenance of racially and religiously segregated housing or so as to retard, obstruct, or discourage racially integrated housing on or in any street, block, neighborhood, or community.

(31) Engaging in any act that constitutes a violation of any provision of Article 3 of the Illinois Human Rights Act, whether or not a complaint has been filed with or adjudicated by the Human Rights Commission.

(32) Inducing any party to a contract of sale or lease or brokerage agreement to break the contract of sale or lease or brokerage agreement for the purpose of substituting, in lieu thereof, a new contract for sale or lease or brokerage agreement with a third party.

(33) Negotiating a sale, exchange, or lease of real estate directly with any person if the licensee knows that the person has an exclusive brokerage agreement with another broker, unless specifically authorized by that broker.

(34) When a licensee is also an attorney, acting as the attorney for either the buyer or the seller in the same transaction in which the licensee is acting or has acted as a managing broker or broker.

(35) Advertising or offering merchandise or services as free if any conditions or obligations necessary for receiving the merchandise or services are not disclosed in the same advertisement or offer. These conditions or obligations include without limitation the requirement that the recipient attend a promotional activity or visit a real estate site. As used in this subdivision (35), "free" includes terms such as "award", "prize", "no charge", "free of charge", "without charge", and similar words or phrases that reasonably lead a person to believe that he or she may receive or has been selected to receive something of value, without any conditions or obligations on the part of the recipient.

(36) Disregarding or violating any provision of the Land Sales Registration Act of 1989, the Illinois Real Estate Time-Share Act, or the published rules promulgated by the Department to enforce those Acts.

(37) Violating the terms of an a disciplinary order issued by the Department.

(38) Paying or failing to disclose compensation in violation of Article 10 of this Act.

(39) Requiring a party to a transaction who is not a client of the licensee to allow the licensee to retain a portion of the escrow moneys for payment of the licensee's commission or expenses as a condition for release of the escrow moneys to that party.

(40) Disregarding or violating any provision of this Act or the published rules promulgated by the Department to enforce this Act or aiding or abetting any individual, partnership, registered limited liability partnership, limited liability company, or corporation in disregarding any provision of this Act or the published rules promulgated by the Department to enforce this Act.

(41) Failing to provide the minimum services required by Section 15-75 of this Act when acting under an exclusive brokerage agreement.

(42) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug that results in a managing broker, broker, or leasing agent's inability to practice with reasonable skill or safety.

(43) Enabling, aiding, or abetting an auctioneer, as defined in the Auction License Act, to conduct a real estate auction in a manner that is in violation of this Act.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return, pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of that tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(c) The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) In enforcing this Section, the Department or Board upon a showing of a possible violation may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall be grounds for suspension of his or her license until the individual submits to the examination if the Department finds, after notice and hearing, that the refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable cause.

If the Department or Board finds an individual unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department or Board may require that individual to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department or Board, as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice; or, in lieu of care, counseling, or treatment, the Department may file, or the Board may recommend to the Department to file, a complaint to immediately suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. An individual whose license was granted, continued, reinstated, renewed, disciplined or supervised subject to such terms, conditions, or restrictions, and who fails to comply with such terms, conditions, or restrictions, shall be referred to the Secretary for a determination as to whether the individual shall have his or her license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 30 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 98-553, eff. 1-1-14; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 99-227, eff. 8-3-15.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.