State of Illinois
92nd General Assembly
Legislation

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92_SB1284sam001

 










                                             LRB9206807ACcdam

 1                    AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 1284

 2        AMENDMENT NO.     .  Amend Senate Bill 1284 is amended by
 3    replacing everything  after  the  enacting  clause  with  the
 4    following:

 5        "Section   5.   The  Regulatory  Sunset Act is amended by
 6    changing Section 4.14 and adding Section 4.24 as follows:

 7        (5 ILCS 80/4.14) (from Ch. 127, par. 1904.14)
 8        Sec. 4.14.  Acts repealed.
 9        (a)  The following Acts are repealed December 31, 2003:
10             The Private Detective, Private  Alarm,  and  Private
11        Security Act of 1993.
12             The Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act.
13        (b)  The following Acts are repealed January 1, 2004:
14             The  Illinois  Certified  Shorthand Reporters Act of
15        1984.
16             The Illinois Public Accounting Act.
17             The Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act  of
18        1994.
19    (Source:  P.A. 87-261; 87-481; 87-576; 87-895; 88-36; 88-363;
20    88-424; 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)

21        (5 ILCS 80/4.24 new)
 
                            -2-              LRB9206807ACcdam
 1        Sec.  4.24.  Act  repealed  on  January  1,  2014.    The
 2    following Act is repealed on January 1, 2014:
 3        The Illinois Public Accounting Act.

 4        Section   10.   The  Illinois  Public  Accounting  Act is
 5    amended by changing Sections 0.03, 1, 2, 3, 6,  7,  8,  9.01,
 6    9.2,  11,  13,  14, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 16, 17, 17.1, 17.2, 19,
 7    20.01, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 20.5, 20.6, 21,  26,  27,  28,
 8    30, 30.1, and 32 and adding Section 9.02 as follows:

 9        (225 ILCS 450/0.03) (from Ch. 111, par. 5500.03)
10        Sec.  0.03.  Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the
11    context otherwise requires:
12        (a)  "Certified Public Accountant" means any  person  who
13    has   been   issued  a  certificate  as  a  certified  public
14    accountant  from  the  Board  of  Examiners   University   of
15    Illinois.
16        (b)  "Licensed  Certified  Public  Accountant"  means any
17    person licensed under this Act.
18        (c)  "Department" means the  Department  of  Professional
19    Regulation.
20        (d)  "Director"   means   the  Director  of  Professional
21    Regulation.
22        (e)  (Blank).  "Committee"  means  the  Illinois   Public
23    Accountants Registration Committee appointed by the Director.
24        (f)  "License",  "licensee" and "licensure" refers to the
25    authorization to practice under the provisions of this Act.
26        (g)  "Peer review program" means a study,  appraisal,  or
27    review  of  one or more aspects of the professional work of a
28    person  or  firm  certified  or  licensed  under  this   Act,
29    including  quality  review, peer review, practice monitoring,
30    quality   assurance,   and   similar   programs    undertaken
31    voluntarily  or  in  response to membership requirements in a
32    professional  organization,  or  as  a  prerequisite  to  the
 
                            -3-              LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    providing   of   professional   services   under   government
 2    requirements, or any similar internal  review  or  inspection
 3    that is required by professional standards.
 4        (h)  "Review  committee"  means  any  person  or  persons
 5    conducting,  reviewing,  administering, or supervising a peer
 6    review program.
 7        (i)  "University" means the University of Illinois.
 8        (j)  "Board" means the  Board  of  Examiners  established
 9    under Section 2.
10    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

11        (225 ILCS 450/1) (from Ch. 111, par. 5501)
12        Sec.  1.  Any person, eighteen years of age or older, who
13    has  received  from  the  Board   University   of   Illinois,
14    hereinafter  called  the  University,  a  certificate  of his
15    qualifications as hereinafter provided, shall be  styled  and
16    known as a "Certified Public Accountant," and no other person
17    shall  assume such title or use the abbreviation "C. P.A." or
18    any words or letters to indicate that the  person  using  the
19    same is a certified public accountant.
20    (Source: P.A. 83-291.)

21        (225 ILCS 450/2) (from Ch. 111, par. 5502)
22        Sec.  2.   Examinations.  The  Governor  University shall
23    appoint  a  Board  of  Examiners  that  shall  determine  the
24    qualifications of persons applying for certificates and shall
25    make rules for and conduct examinations for  determining  the
26    qualifications.
27        The  Board shall consist of not less than 9 nor more than
28    11 9 examiners, as determined by Board rule, 2 at least 7  of
29    whom  shall  be members of the public who are not licensed or
30    certified  under  this  Act  or  a  similar  Act  of  another
31    jurisdiction and who have no connection with  the  accounting
32    or  public  accounting  profession.   The  remainder shall be
 
                            -4-              LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    certified public accountants in  this  State  who  have  been
 2    residents  of  this  State  for  at least 5 years immediately
 3    preceding their appointment, except that one.  One  shall  be
 4    either  a  certified public an accountant of the grade herein
 5    described or an attorney licensed and residing in this  State
 6    and  one  shall  be  a  certified public accountant who is an
 7    active or retired educator residing in this State.  The  term
 8    of office of each examiner shall be 3 years, except that upon
 9    the  enactment  of  this  amendatory  Act of the 92nd General
10    Assembly 1993, those members currently serving on  the  Board
11    shall  continue  to  serve  the  duration of their terms, one
12    additional examiner shall be appointed  for  a  term  of  one
13    year,  one additional examiner for a term of 2 years, and any
14    2 additional examiners for terms a term of 3 years.   As  the
15    term  of  each  examiner  expires,  the  appointment shall be
16    filled for a term of 3 years from  the  date  of  expiration.
17    Any Board member who has served as a member for 6 consecutive
18    years  shall  not be eligible for reappointment until 2 years
19    after the end of the term in which the sixth consecutive year
20    of service occurred, except that members of the Board serving
21    on the effective date of this Section shall be  eligible  for
22    appointment   to   one  additional  3-year  term.  Where  the
23    expiration of any member's term shall result in less than  11
24    members  then serving on the Board, the member shall continue
25    to serve until his or her  successor  is  appointed  and  has
26    qualified.  The Governor may terminate the term of any member
27    of the Board at any time for cause.
28        The time and place of holding the examinations  shall  be
29    determined  by  the Board and shall be duly advertised by the
30    Board.
31        The examination shall test the applicant's  knowledge  of
32    accounting,  auditing, and other related subjects, if any, as
33    the Board may deem advisable.  A candidate must  be  examined
34    in  all  subjects except that a candidate who has passed in 2
 
                            -5-              LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    or more subjects and who attained a  minimum  grade  in  each
 2    subject  failed  as  may  be established by Board regulations
 3    shall have the right  to  be  re-examined  in  the  remaining
 4    subjects   at   one   or   more  of  the  next  6  succeeding
 5    examinations.
 6        The Board may in certain cases waive or defer any of  the
 7    requirements  of  this Section regarding the circumstances in
 8    which the various Sections of the examination must be  passed
 9    upon  a  showing that, by reasons of circumstances beyond the
10    applicant's control, the applicant was  unable  to  meet  the
11    requirement.
12        Applicants may also be required to pass an examination on
13    the  rules  of  professional  conduct, as determined by Board
14    rule to be appropriate.
15        The examinations shall be given at least twice a year.
16        Any application, document or other information  filed  by
17    or  concerning  an applicant and any examination grades of an
18    applicant shall be  deemed  confidential  and  shall  not  be
19    disclosed  to  anyone without the prior written permission of
20    the applicant, except that it is hereby deemed in the  public
21    interest  that the names and addresses only of all applicants
22    shall  be  a  public  record  and  be  released   as   public
23    information.   Nothing  herein  shall  prevent the Board from
24    making public announcement of the names of persons  receiving
25    certificates under this Act.
26        The  Board shall adopt all necessary and reasonable rules
27    and regulations  for  the  effective  administration  of  the
28    Sections   of   this   Act  for  which  it  is  charged  with
29    administering.  Without limiting  the  foregoing,  the  Board
30    shall  adopt  and  prescribe rules and regulations for a fair
31    and  wholly  and  impartial   method   of   determining   the
32    qualifications  of  applicants for examination and for a fair
33    and wholly and impartial method  of  examination  of  persons
34    under   Section  2  and  may  establish  rules  for  subjects
 
                            -6-              LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    conditioned and  for  the  transfer  of  credits  from  other
 2    jurisdictions with respect to subjects passed.
 3    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

 4        (225 ILCS 450/3) (from Ch. 111, par. 5504)
 5        Sec.  3.  Qualifications of applicants. To be admitted to
 6    take the examination given before January 1,  2001,  for  the
 7    purpose  of  determining the qualifications of applicants for
 8    certificates as certified public accountants under this  Act,
 9    the  applicants  shall  be  required  to present proof of the
10    successful completion of 120 college or  university  semester
11    hours  of  study or their equivalent from a school or schools
12    acceptable to the Board. Of the 120 semester hours, at  least
13    27  semester  hours  shall  be  in  the  study of accounting,
14    auditing and business law, provided that of the 27 hours  not
15    more  than 6 shall be in business law. To be admitted to take
16    the examination after the  year  2000,  for  the  purpose  of
17    determining the qualifications of applicants for certificates
18    as   certified   public   accountants  under  this  Act,  the
19    applicants  shall  be  required  to  present  proof  of   the
20    successful  completion  of 150 college or university semester
21    hours  of  study  or   their   equivalent,   to   include   a
22    baccalaureate  or  higher  degree  conferred  by a college or
23    university acceptable to the Board of  Examiners,  the  total
24    educational program to include an accounting concentration or
25    equivalent as determined by Board rules to be appropriate. In
26    adopting  those  rules, the Board shall consider, among other
27    things, any impediments to the interstate practice of  public
28    accounting   that   may   result   from  differences  in  the
29    requirements in other states.
30        Candidates who have taken the examination at  least  once
31    before  January  1,  2001, may take the examination under the
32    qualifications  in  effect   when   they   first   took   the
33    examination.
 
                            -7-              LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    (Source: P.A. 87-726; 88-36.)

 2        (225 ILCS 450/6) (from Ch. 111, par. 5507)
 3        Sec. 6. Fees; pay of examiners; expenses. The Board shall
 4    charge  a  fee in an amount at least sufficient to defray the
 5    costs and expenses incident to the examination  and  issuance
 6    of  a  certificate  provided  for  in  Section  3 and for the
 7    issuance of a certificate provided for in Section 5. This fee
 8    shall be payable by the applicant at the time  of  filing  an
 9    application.
10        The   Board  appointed  by  the  Governor  University  in
11    accordance with the provisions of  Section  2  shall  receive
12    reasonable  compensation,  to be set determined by Board rule
13    the University, for the time actually expended  in  pursuance
14    of  the  duties imposed upon them by this Act, and they shall
15    be further entitled to their  necessary  traveling  expenses.
16    All  expenses provided for by this Act shall be paid from the
17    fees received under this Act, and no expense  incurred  under
18    this  Act  shall  be  charged  against  other  funds  of  the
19    University.
20        From  the  fees  collected,  the  Board shall pay all the
21    expenses  incident  to  the  examinations,  the  expenses  of
22    issuing  certificates,  the   traveling   expenses   of   the
23    examiners,  and  their  compensation  while  performing their
24    duties, and other necessary expenses in the administration of
25    this Act.
26    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

27        (225 ILCS 450/7) (from Ch. 111, par. 5508)
28        Sec.  7.   Licensure.  A  holder  of  a  certificate   as
29    certified  public accountant issued by the Board shall not be
30    entitled to practice public accounting, as defined in Section
31    8, in this State until the person  has  been  licensed  as  a
32    licensed  certified public accountant by the Board Department
 
                            -8-              LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    of Professional Regulation of this State, and has received  a
 2    registration card from the Department.
 3        The  Board  Department may refuse to issue or may suspend
 4    the license of any person who fails to file a return,  or  to
 5    pay  the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or
 6    to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty or  interest,  as
 7    required   by  any  tax  Act  administered  by  the  Illinois
 8    Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of
 9    any such tax Act are satisfied.
10    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

11        (225 ILCS 450/8) (from Ch. 111, par. 5509)
12        Sec.  8.  Practicing   as   licensed   certified   public
13    accountant.  Persons,  either  individually,  as members of a
14    partnership or limited liability company, or as officers of a
15    corporation, who sign, affix or associate their names or  any
16    trade  or  assumed  names  used  by  them  in a profession or
17    business to any report expressing or disclaiming  an  opinion
18    on  a financial statement based on an audit or examination of
19    that  statement,  or  expressing  assurance  on  a  financial
20    statement, shall be deemed to  be  in  practice  as  licensed
21    certified public accountants within the meaning and intent of
22    this Act.
23    (Source: P.A. 87-435; 88-36.)

24        (225 ILCS 450/9.01)
25        Sec.   9.01.  Unlicensed   practice;   violation;   civil
26    penalty.
27        (a)  Any   person  who  practices,  offers  to  practice,
28    attempts to practice, or holds oneself out to practice  as  a
29    public  accountant  without  being  licensed  under  this Act
30    shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law,  pay
31    a  civil  penalty to the Board Department in an amount not to
32    exceed $5,000 for each offense as  determined  by  the  Board
 
                            -9-              LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    Department.  The civil penalty shall be assessed by the Board
 2    Department after a hearing is held  in  accordance  with  the
 3    provisions set forth in this Act regarding the provision of a
 4    hearing for the discipline of a licensee.
 5        (b)  The  Board Department has the authority and power to
 6    investigate any and all unlicensed activity.
 7        (c)  The civil penalty shall be paid within 60 days after
 8    the effective date of the order imposing the  civil  penalty.
 9    The  order  shall  constitute a judgment and may be filed and
10    execution had thereon in the same manner as any judgment from
11    any court of record.
12    (Source: P.A. 89-474, eff. 6-18-96.)

13        (225 ILCS 450/9.02 new)
14        Sec. 9.02.  Unauthorized use of title;  violation;  civil
15    penalty.
16        (a)  Any  person  who  shall  assume the title "certified
17    public accountant" or use the abbreviation "CPA" or any words
18    or letters to indicate that the person using the  same  is  a
19    certified  public  accountant  without  having  been issued a
20    certificate under  the  provisions  of  this  Act  shall,  in
21    addition   to   any   other penalty provided  by  law,  pay a
22    civil penalty to the Board in an amount not to exceed  $5,000
23    for   each  offense  as  determined  by the Board.  The civil
24    penalty shall be assessed by the Board  after  a  hearing  is
25    held  in  accordance  with the provisions set  forth  in this
26    Act  regarding  the  provision   of   a   hearing   for   the
27    discipline of a licensee.
28        (b)  The   Board   has   the   authority   and  power  to
29    investigate   any  and  all  alleged  improper  use  of   the
30    certified public accountant title or CPA designation.
31        (c)  The   civil   penalty   shall   be  paid  within  60
32    days after the effective date of the order imposing the civil
33    penalty. The order  shall constitute  a judgment and  may  be
 
                            -10-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    filed  and  execution  had  thereon in the same manner as any
 2    judgment from any court of record.

 3        (225 ILCS 450/9.2) (from Ch. 111, par. 5510.2)
 4        Sec. 9.2.  Powers and duties of the Board.
 5        (a) The Board Department shall exercise  the  powers  and
 6    duties  prescribed  by  "The  Civil  Administrative  Code  of
 7    Illinois"  for the administration of licensing acts and shall
 8    exercise such other powers and duties invested by this Act.
 9        (b)  The Board Director may promulgate  rules  consistent
10    with  the  provisions  of this Act for the administration and
11    enforcement thereof, and for the payment  of  fees  connected
12    therewith  and  may  prescribe forms which shall be issued in
13    connection therewith.  The rules shall include standards  and
14    criteria   for   licensure   and   professional  conduct  and
15    discipline.  The Department shall consult with the  Committee
16    in  promulgating  rules.  Notice of proposed rulemaking shall
17    be transmitted to the  Committee  and  the  Department  shall
18    review  the Committee's response and any recommendations made
19    therein.   The  Department  shall  notify  the  Committee  in
20    writing with explanation of deviations from  the  Committee's
21    recommendations and responses.
22        (c)  The  Department  may  solicit  the advice and expert
23    knowledge of the Committee on  any  matter  relating  to  the
24    administration and enforcement of this Act.
25        (d)  The   Department   shall   issue  quarterly  to  the
26    Committee a report of the status of all complaints related to
27    the profession received by the Department.
28    (Source: P.A. 83-291.)

29        (225 ILCS 450/11) (from Ch. 111, par. 5512)
30        Sec. 11. Exemption from Act. Nothing in  this  Act  shall
31    prohibit  any  person  who  may  be  engaged  by  one or more
32    persons, partnerships or corporations, from keeping books, or
 
                            -11-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    from making trial balances or statements, or, as an employee,
 2    from making audits or preparing reports,  provided  that  the
 3    person  does  not  indicate  or  in any manner imply that the
 4    trial balances, statements, or reports have been prepared  or
 5    examined  by  a  certified  public  accountant  or a licensed
 6    certified  public  accountant  or  that  they  represent  the
 7    independent opinion of a certified  public  accountant  or  a
 8    licensed  certified  public  accountant.  Nothing in this Act
 9    shall prohibit any person from preparing tax and  information
10    returns  or  from  acting  as  representative or agent at tax
11    inquiries, examinations or proceedings, or from preparing and
12    installing accounting systems, or from reviewing accounts and
13    accounting  methods  for  the  purpose  of  determining   the
14    efficiency  of  accounting  methods  or  appliances,  or from
15    studying matters of organization, provided  that  the  person
16    does  not  indicate  or  in any manner imply that the reports
17    have  been  prepared  by,  or  that  the  representation   or
18    accounting  work  has  been  performed  by a certified public
19    accountant  or  a  licensed  certified   public   accountant.
20    Unlicensed accountants are not prohibited from performing any
21    services   that   they  may  have  performed  prior  to  this
22    Amendatory Act of 1983.
23    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

24        (225 ILCS 450/13) (from Ch. 111, par. 5514)
25        Sec.   13.   Application   for   licensure.   A   person,
26    partnership,  limited  liability  company,   or   corporation
27    desiring  to  practice  public accounting in this State shall
28    make application to the Board Department for licensure  as  a
29    licensed  certified  public  accountant and shall pay the fee
30    required by Section 17.
31        Applicants have 3 years from the date of  application  to
32    complete  the  application  process.   If the process has not
33    been completed in 3 years, the application shall  be  denied,
 
                            -12-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    the fee forfeited and the applicant must reapply and meet the
 2    requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.
 3    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

 4        (225 ILCS 450/14) (from Ch. 111, par. 5515)
 5        Sec.  14.  Qualifications.  The  Board  Department  shall
 6    license   as   licensed   certified  public  accountants  the
 7    following:
 8        (a)  All persons  who  have  received  or  who  hereafter
 9    receive certificates as certified public accountants from the
10    Board,   who   have  had  at  least  one  year  of  full-time
11    experience, or its equivalent, providing any type of  service
12    or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, management
13    advisory,  financial  advisory,  tax,  or  consulting skills,
14    which  may  be  gained  through  employment  in   government,
15    industry, academia, or public practice.
16        If  the  applicant's  certificate  was issued more than 4
17    years prior to the application for an internal license  under
18    this  Section,  the  applicant  shall submit any evidence the
19    Board  Department  may  require  showing  the  applicant  has
20    completed not less than 90 hours of  continuing  professional
21    education  acceptable  to  the  Department within the 3 years
22    immediately preceding the date of application.
23        The Committee shall be the sole and final  judge  of  the
24    qualification of experience under this section.
25        (b)  All  partnerships,  limited  liability companies, or
26    corporations, or other entities engaged in  the  practice  of
27    public  accounting  in  this  State and meeting the following
28    requirements:
29             (1)  (Blank).
30             (2)  A majority of the ownership  of  the  firm,  in
31        terms  of  financial  interests  and voting rights of all
32        partners, officers, shareholders, members,  or  managers,
33        belongs  to  persons  licensed  in  some  state,  and the
 
                            -13-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1        partners, officers, shareholders,  members,  or  managers
 2        whose  principal  place  of business is in this State and
 3        who practice public accounting in this State, as  defined
 4        in  Section 8 of this Act, hold a valid license issued by
 5        this State.
 6             (3)  It shall be lawful for a nonprofit  cooperative
 7        association   engaged   in   rendering  an  auditing  and
 8        accounting service to its members only,  to  continue  to
 9        render  that  service  provided  that  the  rendering  of
10        auditing   and  accounting  service  by  the  cooperative
11        association shall at all times be under the  control  and
12        supervision of licensed certified public accountants.
13             (4)  The   Board  Department  may  adopt  rules  and
14        regulations as necessary to provide for the  practice  of
15        public  accounting  by  business  entities  that  may  be
16        otherwise  authorized  by  law  to  conduct  business  in
17        Illinois.
18        The   Director   shall   appoint   a   Public  Accountant
19    Registration Committee as follows: 7  persons  who  shall  be
20    appointed  by  and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the
21    Director.  Six members must be licensed  public  accountants,
22    in  good  standing,  and  must  be  actively  engaged  in the
23    practice of public accounting in this State, and  one  member
24    of  the  public,  who  is  not  licensed under this Act, or a
25    similar  Act  of  another  jurisdiction,  and,  who  has   no
26    connection   with   the   accounting   or  public  accounting
27    profession.  Members shall serve 4 year terms and until their
28    successors are appointed and qualified.  No member  shall  be
29    reappointed   to   the  Committee  for  more  than  2  terms.
30    Appointments to fill vacancies shall  be  made  in  the  same
31    manner as original appointments, for the unexpired portion of
32    the  vacated  term.    The membership of the Committee should
33    reasonably reflect representation from the  geographic  areas
34    in this State.
 
                            -14-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1        The  members  of  the Committee appointed by the Director
 2    shall receive reasonable compensation, to  be  determined  by
 3    the   Department,   for   the    necessary,  legitimate,  and
 4    authorized expenses approved by the Department. All  expenses
 5    shall   be   paid   from   the  Registered  Certified  Public
 6    Accountants' Administration and Disciplinary Fund.
 7        The Director may terminate the appointment of any  member
 8    for cause.
 9        The    Director    shall    consider   the   advice   and
10    recommendations  of  the  Committee  on  questions  involving
11    standards   of   professional   conduct,    discipline    and
12    qualifications of candidates and licensees under this Act.
13    (Source: P.A. 91-508, eff. 8-13-99; 91-827, eff. 6-13-00.)

14        (225 ILCS 450/14.1)
15        Sec.  14.1.  Foreign  accountants.   The Board Department
16    shall issue a license to a holder of a  foreign  designation,
17    granted  in a foreign country entitling the holder thereof to
18    engage in the practice of public accounting, provided:
19        (a)  The applicant is the holder of  a  certificate  from
20    the Board issued under Section 2, 5, or 5.1 of this Act; and
21        (b)  The  foreign  authority that granted the designation
22    makes similar provision to allow a person who holds  a  valid
23    license  issued by this State to obtain a foreign authority's
24    comparable designation; and
25        (c)  The foreign designation (i) was  duly  issued  by  a
26    foreign  authority  that  regulates  the  practice  of public
27    accounting and the foreign designation  has  not  expired  or
28    been  revoked or suspended; (ii) entitles the holder to issue
29    reports upon financial statements; and (iii) was issued  upon
30    the   basis   of  educational,  examination,  and  experience
31    requirements established by the foreign authority or by  law;
32    and
33        (d)  The  applicant (i) received the designation based on
 
                            -15-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    standards substantially equivalent to those in effect in this
 2    State at the time the foreign designation  was  granted;  and
 3    (ii)   completed  an  experience  requirement,  substantially
 4    equivalent to the requirement set out in Section 14,  in  the
 5    jurisdiction  that  granted  the  foreign  designation or has
 6    completed 5 years of experience in  the  practice  of  public
 7    accounting  in  this  State, or meets equivalent requirements
 8    prescribed by the Department by rule,  within  the  10  years
 9    immediately preceding the application.
10    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

11        (225 ILCS 450/14.2)
12        Sec. 14.2.  Licensure by endorsement.
13        (a)  The  Board  Department  shall  issue  a license as a
14    public accountant to any applicant who holds a certificate as
15    a certified public accountant issued by  the  Board  and  who
16    holds  a  valid  unrevoked license or permit to practice as a
17    public accountant issued under the laws of any other state or
18    territory of the United States or the District  of  Columbia,
19    provided:
20             (1)  the  individual  applicant is determined by the
21        Board  Department  to  possess  personal   qualifications
22        substantially   equivalent   to   this   State's  current
23        licensing requirements;
24             (2)  at the time the applicant received his  or  her
25        current  valid  and  unrevoked  license  or  permit,  the
26        applicant    possessed    qualifications    substantially
27        equivalent  to  the  qualifications for licensure then in
28        effect in this State; or
29             (3)  the   applicant   has,   after   passing    the
30        examination upon which his or her license or other permit
31        to   practice  was  based,  not  less  than  4  years  of
32        experience in the practice of  public  accounting  within
33        the 10 years immediately before the application.
 
                            -16-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1        (b)  In  determining  the  substantial equivalency of any
 2    state's requirements to  Illinois'  requirements,  the  Board
 3    Department  may  rely  on  the determinations of the National
 4    Qualification Appraisal Service of the  National  Association
 5    of  State  Boards  of Accountancy or such other qualification
 6    appraisal service as it deems appropriate.
 7    (Source: P.A. 91-508, eff. 8-13-99; 91-779, eff. 6-9-00.)

 8        (225 ILCS 450/14.3)
 9        Sec.  14.3.  Additional  requirements  for   firms.    In
10    addition   to   the   ownership  requirements  set  forth  in
11    subsection (b) of Section 14, all firms licensed  under  this
12    Act shall meet the following requirements:
13        (a)  All owners of the firm who are not licensed shall be
14    active participants in the firm or its affiliated entities.
15        (b)  An  individual  who  supervises services for which a
16    license is required under Section 8 of this Act or who  signs
17    or  authorizes another to sign any report for which a license
18    is required under Section 8 of this Act shall hold  a  valid,
19    unrevoked  license from this State or another state and shall
20    comply with such additional experience requirements as may be
21    required by rule of the Board Department.
22        (c)  The firm shall require that all owners of the  firm,
23    whether  or  not certified or licensed under this Act, comply
24    with rules promulgated under this Act.
25        (d)  The firm shall designate to the Board Department  in
26    writing  an  individual  licensed under this Act who shall be
27    responsible for the proper registration of the firm.
28    (Source: P.A. 91-508, eff. 8-13-99.)

29        (225 ILCS 450/16) (from Ch. 111, par. 5517)
30        Sec. 16. Expiration and renewal of licenses;  renewal  of
31    registration; continuing education.
32        (a)  The  expiration  date  and  renewal  period for each
 
                            -17-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    license issued under this Act shall be set by rule.
 2        (b)  Every application for renewal of a  license  by  any
 3    person  who  has  been licensed under this Act for 3 years or
 4    more shall be accompanied or supported by  any  evidence  the
 5    Board   Department   shall   prescribe,  in  satisfaction  of
 6    completing,  each  3  years,  not  less  than  120  hours  of
 7    qualifying  continuing   professional   education   programs.
 8    Applications  for renewal by any person who has been licensed
 9    less than 3  years  shall  be  accompanied  or  supported  by
10    evidence  of  completion of 20 hours of qualifying continuing
11    professional education programs for each full 6 months  since
12    the  date of licensure or last renewal. Qualifying continuing
13    education  programs  include  those   given   by   continuing
14    education  sponsors  registered  with  the  Department, those
15    given by the American Institute of  CPAs,  the  Illinois  CPA
16    Foundation,  and  programs  given  by  sponsors  approved  by
17    national  accrediting organizations approved by the Board. in
18    subjects given by continuing education sponsors registered by
19    the Department upon  recommendation  of  the  Committee.  All
20    continuing   education   sponsors   applying   to  the  Board
21    Department for registration shall be required  to  submit  an
22    initial nonrefundable application fee set by Board Department
23    rule.  Each  registered continuing education sponsor shall be
24    required to pay an annual renewal fee set by Board Department
25    rule.   Publicly  supported   colleges,   universities,   and
26    governmental  agencies  located  in  Illinois are exempt from
27    payment of any fees required for continuing education sponsor
28    registration.  Failure by a continuing education  sponsor  to
29    be  licensed  or  pay  the fees prescribed in this Act, or to
30    comply with the rules  and  regulations  established  by  the
31    Board  Department  under  this Section regarding requirements
32    for  continuing  education   courses   or   sponsors,   shall
33    constitute grounds for revocation or denial of renewal of the
34    sponsor's  registration.  All  other  courses or programs may
 
                            -18-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    qualify  upon  presentation  by  the  licensee  of   evidence
 2    satisfactory  to  the  Board that the course or program meets
 3    all Board rules for qualifying education programs.
 4        Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph,  the  Department
 5    may  accept courses and sponsors approved by other states, by
 6    the American Institute of Certified  Public  Accountants,  by
 7    other   state  CPA  societies,  or  by  national  accrediting
 8    organizations such  as  the  National  Association  of  State
 9    Boards  of  Accountancy;  provided, however, that the sponsor
10    must register with the Department and pay the required fee if
11    its courses are presented in the State of Illinois.
12        Failure by an applicant for renewal of  a  license  as  a
13    public  accountant  to  furnish the evidence shall constitute
14    grounds for disciplinary action, unless the Board  Department
15    in  its  discretion  shall determine the failure to have been
16    due to  reasonable  cause.   The  Board  Department,  in  its
17    discretion,  may  renew  a license despite failure to furnish
18    evidence  of  satisfaction  of  requirements  of   continuing
19    education   upon   condition  that  the  applicant  follow  a
20    particular program or schedule of continuing  education.   In
21    issuing  rules, regulations, and individual orders in respect
22    of requirements of continuing education, the Board Department
23    in its discretion may, among other things, use and rely  upon
24    guidelines  and  pronouncements of recognized educational and
25    professional associations; may prescribe rules  for  content,
26    duration,  and  organization  of  courses;  shall  take  into
27    account   the   accessibility  to  applicants  of  continuing
28    education  as  it  may  require,  and  any   impediments   to
29    interstate practice of public accounting that may result from
30    differences  in requirements in other states; and may provide
31    for relaxation or suspension of  requirements  in  regard  to
32    applicants  who  certify that they do not intend to engage in
33    the practice of  public  accounting,  and  for  instances  of
34    individual hardship.
 
                            -19-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1        The  Board Department shall establish by rule a means for
 2    the verification of completion of  the  continuing  education
 3    required   by   this   Section.   This  verification  may  be
 4    accomplished  through  audits  of   records   maintained   by
 5    registrants;  by requiring the filing of continuing education
 6    certificates with the Board Department;  or  by  other  means
 7    established by the Board Department.
 8        The  Board  Department may establish, by rule, guidelines
 9    for acceptance of continuing education on behalf of  licensed
10    certified  public  accountants  taking  continuing  education
11    courses in other jurisdictions.
12    (Source: P.A. 87-435; 87-546; 88-36.)

13        (225 ILCS 450/17) (from Ch. 111, par. 5518)
14        Sec.  17.  Fees;  returned  checks;  fines.  Each person,
15    partnership, limited liability company, and  corporation,  to
16    which  a license is issued, shall pay a fee to be established
17    by the Board Department which allows the Board Department  to
18    pay  all costs and expenses incident to the administration of
19    this Act.  Interim licenses shall be at full rates.
20        The Board Department, by rule, shall establish fees to be
21    paid for certification of records, and copies of this Act and
22    the rules issued for administration of this Act.
23        Any person who delivers a check or other payment  to  the
24    Board  Department  that  is  returned to the Board Department
25    unpaid by the financial institution upon which  it  is  drawn
26    shall  pay to the Board Department, in addition to the amount
27    already owed to the Board Department, a fine in an amount  to
28    be  established  by  Board rule of $50. If the check or other
29    payment was for a renewal or issuance  fee  and  that  person
30    practices  without paying the renewal fee or issuance fee and
31    the  fine  due,  an  additional  fine  in  an  amount  to  be
32    established by Board rule of $100 shall be imposed. The fines
33    imposed  by  this  Section  are  in  addition  to  any  other
 
                            -20-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    discipline provided under this Act for unlicensed practice or
 2    practice on a nonrenewed license. The Board Department  shall
 3    notify  the  person  that  payment of fees and fines shall be
 4    paid to the Board Department  by  certified  check  or  money
 5    order  within 30 calendar days of the notification. If, after
 6    the expiration of 30 days from the date of the  notification,
 7    the person has failed to submit the necessary remittance, the
 8    Board Department shall automatically terminate the license or
 9    certificate  or  deny  the  application, without hearing. If,
10    after termination or denial, the person seeks  a  license  or
11    certificate,  he  or  she shall apply to the Board Department
12    for restoration or issuance of the license or certificate and
13    pay all fees and fines due to the Board Department. The Board
14    Department may establish a  fee  for  the  processing  of  an
15    application  for  restoration  of a license or certificate to
16    pay all expenses of processing this  application.  The  Board
17    Director  may  waive  the  fines  due  under  this Section in
18    individual cases where the  Board  Director  finds  that  the
19    fines would be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.
20    (Source: P.A. 87-1031; 88-36.)

21        (225 ILCS 450/17.1) (from Ch. 111, par. 5518.1)
22        Sec.  17.1.  Any licensed certified public accountant who
23    has permitted his license  to  expire  or  who  has  had  his
24    license  on  inactive status may have his license restored by
25    making application to the Board Department and  filing  proof
26    acceptable to the Board Department of his fitness to have his
27    license  restored,  including  sworn  evidence  certifying to
28    active practice in another jurisdiction satisfactory  to  the
29    Board Department and by paying the required restoration fee.
30        If  the  public  accountant  has not maintained an active
31    practice in another jurisdiction satisfactory  to  the  Board
32    Department,  the  Board  Department  shall  determine,  by an
33    evaluation program established by  rule,  fitness  to  resume
 
                            -21-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    active  status  and  may  require the applicant to complete a
 2    period of supervised auditing experience.
 3        However, any licensed certified public  accountant  whose
 4    license expired while he was (1) in Federal Service on active
 5    duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, or the State
 6    Militia  called  into service or training, or (2) in training
 7    or education under  the  supervision  of  the  United  States
 8    preliminary  to induction into the military service, may have
 9    his license renewed reinstated or restored without paying any
10    lapsed renewal and restoration fees if within 2  years  after
11    honorable  termination of such service, training or education
12    except under conditions other than  honorable,  he  furnished
13    the Board Department with satisfactory evidence to the effect
14    that he has been so engaged and that his service, training or
15    education has been so terminated.
16    (Source: P.A. 84-1299.)

17        (225 ILCS 450/17.2) (from Ch. 111, par. 5518.2)
18        Sec.  17.2.  Any licensed certified public accountant who
19    notifies the Board Department in writing on forms  prescribed
20    by the Board Department, may elect to place his license on an
21    inactive  status  and  shall,  subject  to rules of the Board
22    Department, be excused from payment of renewal fees until  he
23    notifies  the  Board  Department  in writing of his desire to
24    resume active status.
25        Any  licensed  certified  public  accountant   requesting
26    restoration from inactive status shall be required to pay the
27    current  renewal  fee  and  shall  be required to restore his
28    license, as provided in this Act.
29        Any licensed certified public accountant whose license is
30    in an inactive status shall not practice public accounting in
31    this State of Illinois.
32        The Board Department may, in its discretion, license as a
33    licensed certified  public  accountant,  on  payment  of  the
 
                            -22-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    required fee, an applicant who is a licensed certified public
 2    accountant licensed under the laws of another jurisdiction if
 3    the  requirements  for licensure of licensed certified public
 4    accountants in the jurisdiction in which  the  applicant  was
 5    licensed  were,  at  the date of his licensure, substantially
 6    equivalent to the requirements in force in this State on that
 7    date.
 8        Applicants have 3 years from the date of  application  to
 9    complete  the  application  process.   If the process has not
10    been completed in 3 years, the application shall  be  denied,
11    the fee forfeited and the applicant must reapply and meet the
12    requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.
13    (Source: P.A. 86-615.)

14        (225 ILCS 450/19) (from Ch. 111, par. 5520)
15        Sec.  19.   Hearings.  The Board, or a committee thereof,
16    shall Committee established under the provisions  of  Section
17    14  shall,  upon  designation  by  the Director, hear charges
18    which, if proved, would constitute grounds  for  disciplinary
19    action;   shall   hear  applications  for  restoration  of  a
20    certificate or license and the issuance of registration cards
21    as licensed  certified  public  accountants  of  any  person,
22    partnership,  limited liability company, or corporation whose
23    certificate or license has been  suspended  or  revoked;  and
24    shall  report  its findings and recommendations in connection
25    therewith to the Board Director, all as provided  in  Section
26    20.01.
27        The   Board   Department,   upon  recommendation  of  the
28    Committee shall also have power to promulgate and amend rules
29    of professional conduct that shall apply to persons certified
30    or every person licensed under this Act.
31    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

32        (225 ILCS 450/20.01) (from Ch. 111, par. 5521.01)
 
                            -23-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1        Sec. 20.01.  Grounds for discipline; license.
 2        (a)  The Board Department may refuse to issue  or  renew,
 3    or may revoke, suspend, or reprimand any license or licensee,
 4    place a licensee on probation for a period of time subject to
 5    any  conditions  the  Board  Committee  may specify including
 6    requiring the licensee to attend continuing education courses
 7    or to work under the supervision of another licensee,  impose
 8    a  fine not to exceed $5,000 for each violation, restrict the
 9    authorized scope  of  practice,  or  require  a  licensee  to
10    undergo  a  peer  review  program, for any one or more of the
11    following:
12             (1)  Violation of any provision of this Act.
13             (2)  Attempting to procure  a  license  to  practice
14        public    accounting    by    bribery    or    fraudulent
15        misrepresentations.
16             (3)  Having  a license to practice public accounting
17        revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including
18        the denial of licensure, by the  licensing  authority  of
19        another  state,  the  District of Columbia, or any United
20        States territory territory, or country.  No  disciplinary
21        action  shall be taken in Illinois if the action taken in
22        another jurisdiction was based upon failure to  meet  the
23        continuing  professional  education  requirements of that
24        jurisdiction  and  the  applicable  Illinois   continuing
25        professional education requirements are met.
26             (4)  Being  convicted or found guilty, regardless of
27        adjudication,  of  a  crime  in  any  jurisdiction  which
28        directly relates to the practice of public accounting  or
29        the ability to practice public accounting.
30             (5)  Making  or  filing a report or record which the
31        registrant knows to be false, willfully failing to file a
32        report or  record  required  by  state  or  federal  law,
33        willfully impeding or obstructing the filing, or inducing
34        another  person  to  impede  or obstruct the filing.  The
 
                            -24-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1        reports or records shall  include  only  those  that  are
 2        signed  in  the  capacity  of a licensed certified public
 3        accountant.
 4             (6)  Conviction in this  or  another  State  or  the
 5        District  of Columbia, or any United States Territory, of
 6        any crime that is punishable  by  one  year  or  more  in
 7        prison  or  conviction of a crime in a federal court that
 8        is punishable by one year or more in prison.
 9             (7)  Proof that the licensee is guilty of  fraud  or
10        deceit,   or   of   gross  negligence,  incompetency,  or
11        misconduct, in the practice of public accounting.
12             (8)  Violation of any rule adopted under this Act.
13             (9)  Practicing on a revoked, suspended, or inactive
14        license.
15             (10)  Suspension  or  revocation  of  the  right  to
16        practice before any State.
17             (11)  Conviction of any crime under the laws of  the
18        United  States  or  any  state or territory of the United
19        States that is a felony or misdemeanor and has dishonesty
20        as essential element, or of any crime  that  is  directly
21        related to the practice of the profession.
22             (12)  Making  any  misrepresentation for the purpose
23        of obtaining  a  license,  or  material  misstatement  in
24        furnishing information to the Board Department.
25             (13)  Aiding   or   assisting   another   person  in
26        violating any provision of this Act or rules  promulgated
27        hereunder.
28             (14)  Engaging   in   dishonorable,   unethical,  or
29        unprofessional conduct of a character likely to  deceive,
30        defraud,  or  harm  the public and violating the rules of
31        professional conduct adopted by the Board Department.
32             (15)  Habitual or  excessive  use  or  addiction  to
33        alcohol,  narcotics,  stimulants,  or  any other chemical
34        agent or drug that results in the inability  to  practice
 
                            -25-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1        with reasonable skill, judgment, or safety.
 2             (16)  Directly  or indirectly giving to or receiving
 3        from  any  person,  firm,  corporation,  partnership,  or
 4        association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of
 5        compensation for any professional  service  not  actually
 6        rendered.
 7             (17)  Physical   or   mental  disability,  including
 8        deterioration  through  the  aging  process  or  loss  of
 9        abilities and skills that results  in  the  inability  to
10        practice  the  profession with reasonable judgment, skill
11        or safety.
12             (18)  Solicitation of professional services by using
13        false or misleading advertising.
14             (19)  Failure to file a  return,  or  pay  the  tax,
15        penalty  or  interest  shown in a filed return, or to pay
16        any final assessment of  tax,  penalty  or  interest,  as
17        required  by  any  tax  Act  administered by the Illinois
18        Department of Revenue or  any  successor  agency  or  the
19        Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency.
20             (20)  Practicing  or  attempting to practice under a
21        name other than the full name as shown on the license  or
22        any other legally authorized name.
23             (21)  A  finding  by  the  Board  Department  that a
24        licensee has not complied with a provision of any  lawful
25        order issued by the Board Department.
26             (22)  Making   a   false   statement  to  the  Board
27        Department   regarding   compliance    with    continuing
28        professional education requirements.
29             (23)  Failing  to  make  a substantive response to a
30        request for information by the Board Department within 30
31        days of the request.
32        (a-5)  Revocation or suspension by the  Board  of  a  CPA
33    certificate  shall operate to automatically suspend a license
34    to practice public accounting issued  hereunder,  until  such
 
                            -26-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    time as the CPA certificate is restored.
 2        (b)  (Blank).
 3        (c)  In  rendering an order, the Director shall take into
 4    consideration the facts and circumstances involving the  type
 5    of  acts  or  omissions  in subsection (a) including, but not
 6    limited to:
 7             (1)  the extent to which public  confidence  in  the
 8        public accounting profession was, might have been, or may
 9        be injured;
10             (2)  the  degree  of  trust and dependence among the
11        involved parties;
12             (3)  the  character  and  degree  of  financial   or
13        economic harm which did or might have resulted; and
14             (4)  the  intent  or  mental  state  of  the  person
15        charged at the time of the acts or omissions.
16        (d)  The  Board Department shall reissue the license upon
17    a showing certification by the Committee that the disciplined
18    licensee has complied with  all of the terms  and  conditions
19    set forth in the final order.
20        (e)  The  Board Department shall deny any application for
21    a license or renewal, without hearing, to any person who  has
22    defaulted  on  an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois
23    Student Assistance Commission; however, the Board  Department
24    may  issue  a license or renewal if the person in default has
25    established a satisfactory repayment record as determined  by
26    the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
27        (f)  The  determination  by  a  court  that a licensee is
28    subject to involuntary admission  or  judicial  admission  as
29    provided  in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
30    Code will result in the automatic suspension of  his  or  her
31    license.   The  suspension will end upon a finding by a court
32    that  the  licensee  is  no  longer  subject  to  involuntary
33    admission or judicial admission and  ,  the  issuance  of  an
34    order  so  finding  and  discharging  the  patient,  and  the
 
                            -27-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    recommendation  of  the  Committee  to  the Director that the
 2    licensee be allowed to resume professional practice.
 3    (Source: P.A. 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

 4        (225 ILCS 450/20.1) (from Ch. 111, par. 5522)
 5        Sec. 20.1.  Investigations; notice;  hearing.  The  Board
 6    Department  may,  upon  its  own  motion, and shall, upon the
 7    verified complaint in writing of  any  person  setting  forth
 8    facts   which,   if  proved,  would  constitute  grounds  for
 9    disciplinary  action  as  set   forth   in   Section   20.01,
10    investigate  the  actions  of any person or entity. The Board
11    Department may  refer  complaints  and  investigations  to  a
12    disciplinary  body of the accounting profession for technical
13    assistance.    The   results   of   an   investigation    and
14    recommendations of the disciplinary body may be considered by
15    the   Board   Department,   but   shall   not  be  considered
16    determinative and the Board Department shall not in  any  way
17    be obligated to take any action or be bound by the results of
18    the  accounting  profession's  disciplinary  proceedings. The
19    Board, Department before taking  disciplinary  action,  shall
20    afford  the  concerned  party  or  parties  an opportunity to
21    request a hearing and if so requested shall set  a  time  and
22    place  for  a hearing of the complaint.  The Board Department
23    shall notify the applicant, the certificate  holder,  or  the
24    licensed  person  or  entity of any charges made and the date
25    and place of the hearing of those charges by  mailing  notice
26    thereof  to  that person or entity by registered or certified
27    mail to the place last specified by  the  accused  person  or
28    entity  in  the last notification to the Board Department, at
29    least 30 days prior to the date set for  the  hearing  or  by
30    serving  a  written  notice  by delivery of the notice to the
31    accused person or entity at least 15 days prior to  the  date
32    set   for  the  hearing,  and  shall  direct  the  applicant,
33    certificate holder, or licensee to file a written  answer  to
 
                            -28-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    the  Board under oath within 20 days after the service of the
 2    notice and  inform  the  applicant,  certificate  holder,  or
 3    licensee  that  failure  to  file  an  answer  will result in
 4    default  being  taken  against  the  applicant,   certificate
 5    holder,  or  licensee and that the license or certificate may
 6    be suspended, revoked,  placed  on  probationary  status,  or
 7    other  disciplinary  action  may be taken, including limiting
 8    the scope,  nature  or  extent  of  practice,  as  the  Board
 9    Director may deem proper. In case the person fails to file an
10    answer   after  receiving  notice,  his  or  her  license  or
11    certificate may, in the discretion of the  Board  Department,
12    be  suspended,  revoked, or placed on probationary status, or
13    the Board Department may take  whatever  disciplinary  action
14    deemed  proper,  including  limiting  the  scope,  nature, or
15    extent of the person's practice or the imposition of a  fine,
16    without  a  hearing,  if  the  act or acts charged constitute
17    sufficient grounds for such action under this Act. The  Board
18    Department  shall  afford  the  accused  person  or entity an
19    opportunity to be heard  in  person  or  by  counsel  at  the
20    hearing.   Following  At  the  conclusion  of the hearing the
21    Board Committee shall issue present to the Director a written
22    order  setting  forth  report  of  its  finding   of   facts,
23    conclusions   of   law,   and   penalties   to   be   imposed
24    recommendations.   The  order  report shall contain a finding
25    whether or not the accused person violated this Act or failed
26    to comply with the conditions  required  in  this  Act.   The
27    Committee  shall  specify  the  nature  of  the  violation or
28    failure to  comply,  and  make  its  recommendations  to  the
29    Director.
30        The  report  of  findings of fact, conclusions of law and
31    recommendations of the Committee shall be the basis  for  the
32    Department's  disciplinary action.  If the Director disagrees
33    in any regard with the report,  he  may  issue  an  order  in
34    contravention  of  the  report.  The Director shall provide a
 
                            -29-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    written explanation to the Committee of any  deviations  from
 2    their  report,  and  shall  specify  with  particularity  the
 3    reasons of that action in the final order. The finding is not
 4    admissible  in  evidence  against  the  person  in a criminal
 5    prosecution brought for the violation of this  Act,  but  the
 6    hearing  and findings are not a bar to a criminal prosecution
 7    brought for the violation of this Act.
 8    (Source: P.A. 87-1031; 88-36.)

 9        (225 ILCS 450/20.2) (from Ch. 111, par. 5523)
10        Sec. 20.2.  The Board Department may either  directly  or
11    through  its  Committee  subpoena  and bring before it at any
12    hearing any person in this State and take  testimony  through
13    the  Committee  either orally or by deposition, or both, with
14    the  same  fees  and  mileage  and  in  the  same  manner  as
15    prescribed by law in judicial proceedings in civil  cases  in
16    circuit courts of this State.
17        The  Chairman of the Board Director, or any member of the
18    Board Committee designated by the Chairman,  or  any  hearing
19    officer  appointed  pursuant  to  Section  20.6, Director may
20    administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing which the  Board
21    Department  is  authorized  by  law to conduct, and any other
22    oaths required or authorized in any Act administered  by  the
23    Board Department.
24    (Source: P.A. 83-338.)

25        (225 ILCS 450/20.3) (from Ch. 111, par. 5524)
26        Sec.  20.3.  Any  circuit court in the State of Illinois,
27    upon the application of the accused  person,  partnership  or
28    corporation,  of  the complainant or of the Board Department,
29    may,  by  order  duly  entered,  require  the  attendance  of
30    witnesses and the production of  relevant  books  and  papers
31    before   the   Department   at  any  hearing  relative  to  a
32    disciplinary action and the court may compel obedience to the
 
                            -30-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    order by proceedings for contempt.
 2    (Source: P.A.83-291; 83-334.)

 3        (225 ILCS 450/20.4) (from Ch. 111, par. 5525)
 4        Sec. 20.4. The Board Department, at  its  expense,  shall
 5    provide  a  stenographer  to  take  down  the  testimony  and
 6    preserve   a   record  of  all  proceedings  at  disciplinary
 7    hearings. The Board Department shall furnish a transcript  of
 8    that  record  to  any  person interested in that hearing upon
 9    payment of the reasonable cost established by the Department.
10    (Source: P.A. 83-291.)

11        (225 ILCS 450/20.5) (from Ch. 111, par. 5526)
12        Sec. 20.5. Rehearing. In any disciplinary  proceeding,  a
13    copy  of the Board's order Committee's report shall be served
14    upon the respondent by the Department, either  personally  or
15    as  provided  in  this  Act  for the service of the notice of
16    hearing.  Within 20 days after such service,  the  respondent
17    may present to the Board Department a motion in writing for a
18    rehearing,  which motion shall specify the particular grounds
19    therefor.  If no motion for rehearing is filed, then upon the
20    expiration of the time specified for filing such a motion, or
21    if a motion or rehearing is denied, then upon such denial the
22    determination of the Board shall be final Director may  enter
23    an  order in accordance with recommendations of the Committee
24    except as provided in Section  20.6  of  this  Act.   If  the
25    respondent  shall  order  from the reporting service, and pay
26    for a transcript of the record within the time for  filing  a
27    motion  for  rehearing, the 20 day period within which such a
28    motion may be filed shall commence upon the delivery  of  the
29    transcript to the respondent.
30        Whenever  the  Director  is  satisfied  that  substantial
31    justice has not been done in the disciplinary proceeding, the
32    Director may order a rehearing by the Committee or designated
 
                            -31-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    hearing officer.
 2        Upon  the  suspension  or  revocation of a certificate or
 3    license the licensee shall be required to  surrender  to  the
 4    Board  Department  the  certificate  or license issued by the
 5    Board Department, and upon failure or refusal so to  do,  the
 6    Board Department may seize it.
 7        The Board Department may exchange information relating to
 8    proceedings   resulting   in   disciplinary   action  against
 9    certificate  holders  and  licensees  with   the   regulatory
10    licensing  bodies  of  other  states,  or  with  other public
11    authorities  or  private  organizations   having   regulatory
12    interest in such matter.
13    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

14        (225 ILCS 450/20.6) (from Ch. 111, par. 5526.6)
15        Sec.  20.6.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of Section
16    20.2 of this Act, the Board Director shall have the authority
17    to appoint any attorney duly licensed to practice law in  the
18    State  of  Illinois  to  serve  as the hearing officer in any
19    disciplinary action.  The Director shall notify the Committee
20    of such appointment.
21        The hearing officer shall have full authority to  conduct
22    the  hearing.   The hearing officer shall report his findings
23    of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations to the  Board
24    Committee  and  the Director.  The Board Committee shall have
25    60 days from receipt of the report to review  the  report  of
26    the  hearing  officer  and  present  their  findings of fact,
27    conclusions of law and recommendations to the  Director.   If
28    the  Committee  fails to present its report within the 60 day
29    period, the Director shall issue an order based on the report
30    of the hearing officer unless it.  If the Director  disagrees
31    in  any  regard  with  the report of the Committee or hearing
32    officer,  in  which  case  it  he  may  issue  an  order   in
33    contravention  thereof, which order may require a new hearing
 
                            -32-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    as to some or all of  the  facts  in  dispute  or  may  issue
 2    findings  of  fact  and  conclusions  of  law contrary to the
 3    findings  and  conclusions  of  the  hearing  officer.    The
 4    Director shall provide a written explanation to the Committee
 5    of  any  such deviations and shall specify with particularity
 6    the reasons for said action in the final order.
 7    (Source: P.A. 83-291.)

 8        (225 ILCS 450/21) (from Ch. 111, par. 5527)
 9        Sec. 21. Judicial review; cost of record; order as  prima
10    facie proof.
11        (a)  All final administrative decisions of the Department
12    hereunder shall be subject to judicial review pursuant to the
13    provisions   of   the  Administrative  Review  Law,  and  all
14    amendments and modifications thereof, and the  rules  adopted
15    pursuant  thereto.   The  term  "administrative  decision" is
16    defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
17        Proceedings for judicial review shall be commenced in the
18    Circuit Court of the county in which the party  applying  for
19    review  resides;  provided,  that  if  such  party  is  not a
20    resident of this State,  the  venue  shall  be  in  Sangamon,
21    Champaign, or Cook County.
22        (b)  The  Board  Department  shall  not  be  required  to
23    certify  any  record to the court or file any answer in court
24    or otherwise  appear  in  any  court  in  a  judicial  review
25    proceeding,  unless  there  is  filed  in  the court with the
26    complaint a receipt from the Board  Department  acknowledging
27    payment of the costs of furnishing and certifying the record,
28    which  costs  shall  be  established by the Board Department.
29    Exhibits shall be certified without cost.    Failure  on  the
30    part  of the plaintiff to file such receipt in court shall be
31    grounds for dismissal of the action.
32        (c)  An order of disciplinary action or a certified  copy
33    thereof, over the seal of the Board Department and purporting
 
                            -33-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    to be signed by the Chairman or authorized agent of the Board
 2    Director,  shall  be  prima  facie  proof,  subject  to being
 3    rebutted, that:
 4             (1)  the signature is the genuine signature  of  the
 5        Chairman or authorized agent of the Board Director;
 6             (2)  the  Chairman  or authorized agent of the Board
 7        Director is duly appointed and qualified; and
 8             (3)  the Board Committee and the members thereof are
 9        qualified to act.
10    (Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

11        (225 ILCS 450/26) (from Ch. 111, par. 5532)
12        Sec.  26.  Rules  and  regulations.  The  Board  and  the
13    Department shall adopt all necessary and reasonable rules and
14    regulations for the effective administration and  enforcement
15    of  the  provisions  of  this  Act;  and without limiting the
16    foregoing the Board  shall  adopt  and  prescribe  rules  and
17    regulations  for  a  fair  and  wholly  impartial  method  of
18    determining  the qualifications of applicants for examination
19    and for a fair and wholly impartial method of examination  of
20    persons  under Section 2 and may establish rules for subjects
21    conditioned and  for  the  transfer  of  credits  from  other
22    jurisdictions with respect to subjects passed. All Department
23    university  rules  in  effect  on  the effective date of this
24    amendatory Act  of  the  92nd  General  Assembly  1993  shall
25    continue  in effect under the jurisdiction of the Board until
26    changed by the Board.
27    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

28        (225 ILCS 450/27) (from Ch. 111, par. 5533)
29        Sec. 27. A licensed certified public accountant shall not
30    be required by any court to divulge information  or  evidence
31    which  has  been obtained by him in his confidential capacity
32    as a public accountant.  This Section shall not apply to  any
 
                            -34-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    investigation or hearing undertaken pursuant to this Act.
 2    (Source: P.A. 83-291.)

 3        (225 ILCS 450/28) (from Ch. 111, par. 5534)
 4        Sec.   28.   Penalties.   Each   of  the  following  acts
 5    perpetrated  in  the  State  of  Illinois  is   a   Class   B
 6    misdemeanor.
 7        (a)  The  practice  of  public  accounting  insofar as it
 8    consists in rendering service  as  described  in  Section  8,
 9    without  licensure,  in  violation  of the provisions of this
10    Act;
11        (b)  The obtaining or attempting to obtain licensure as a
12    licensed certified public accountant by fraud;
13        (c)  The use of the title "Certified  Public  Accountant"
14    or  the abbreviation "C.P.A." or any similar words or letters
15    indicating the user is a certified public accountant, by  any
16    person  who  has  not  received  a certificate as a certified
17    public accountant from the Board;
18        (d)  The use of the title "Certified  Public  Accountant"
19    or  the abbreviation "C.P.A." or any similar words or letters
20    indicating that the members are certified public accountants,
21    by any partnership  unless  all  members  thereof  personally
22    engaged  in  the  practice of public accounting in this State
23    have received certificates as  certified  public  accountants
24    from  the  Board,  are  licensed as licensed certified public
25    accountants by the Board Department, and are  holders  of  an
26    effective  unrevoked license, and the partnership is licensed
27    as  licensed  certified  public  accountants  by  the   Board
28    Department with an effective unrevoked license;
29        (e)  The  use  of  the  title  "licensed certified public
30    accountant", "licensed  CPA",  "Public  Accountant",  or  the
31    abbreviation   "P.A."   or   any  similar  words  or  letters
32    indicating  such  person  is  a  licensed  certified   public
33    accountant,   by  any  person  not  licensed  as  a  licensed
 
                            -35-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    certified public accountant  by  the  Board  Department,  and
 2    holding  an  effective unrevoked license; provided nothing in
 3    this Act shall prohibit the use of the title "Accountant"  or
 4    "Bookkeeper" by any person;
 5        (f)  The  use  of  the  title  "Licensed Certified Public
 6    Accountants",  "Public  Accountants"  or   the   abbreviation
 7    "P.A.'s"  or any similar words or letters indicating that the
 8    members are public accountants by any partnership unless  all
 9    members  thereof personally engaged in the practice of public
10    accounting in this State are licensed as  licensed  certified
11    public  accountants  by  the  Department  and  are holders of
12    effective unrevoked licenses, and the partnership is licensed
13    as  a  public  accounting  firm  accountants  by  the   Board
14    Department with an effective unrevoked licenses;
15        (g)  Making  false  statements  to  the  Board Department
16    regarding compliance with continuing  professional  education
17    requirements.
18    (Source: P.A. 88-36.)

19        (225 ILCS 450/30) (from Ch. 111, par. 5535)
20        Sec.  30. The practice of public accounting, as described
21    in Section 8 of this Act, by any person in violation of  this
22    Act  is  hereby declared to be inimical to the public welfare
23    and to be a public nuisance. An action to perpetually  enjoin
24    from  such  unlawful  practice  any person who has been or is
25    engaged therein may be maintained in the name of  the  people
26    of the State of Illinois by the Attorney General of the State
27    of  Illinois,  by the State's Attorney of any county in which
28    the action is brought, by the  Board  Department  or  by  any
29    resident  citizen.  The  injunction  proceeding  shall  be in
30    addition to and  not  in  lieu  of  any  penalties  or  other
31    remedies  provided  by  this  Act.  No injunction shall issue
32    under this section against any person for  any  act  exempted
33    under Section 11 of this Act.
 
                            -36-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1        If  any  person  shall  practice  as a licensed certified
 2    public accountant or hold himself out as a licensed certified
 3    public accountant without being licensed under the  provision
 4    of  this  Act  then any licensed certified public accountant,
 5    any interested party or any person injured  thereby  may,  in
 6    addition  to  the  Board  Director,  petition  for  relief as
 7    provided in subsection (a) of this Section.
 8        Whenever in the  opinion  of  the  Board  Department  any
 9    person   violates  any  provision  of  this  Act,  the  Board
10    Department may issue a rule to show cause  why  an  order  to
11    cease and desist should not be entered against him.  The rule
12    shall  clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Board
13    Department and shall provide a period of 7 days from the date
14    of the rule to file an answer  to  the  satisfaction  of  the
15    Board  Department.   Failure to answer to the satisfaction of
16    the Board Department shall cause an order to cease and desist
17    to be issued forthwith.
18    (Source: P.A. 83-291.)

19        (225 ILCS 450/30.1) (from Ch. 111, par. 5535.1)
20        Sec. 30.1.  No person, partnership,  or  corporation,  or
21    other  entity  licensed  or authorized to practice under this
22    Act or any of its employees, partners, members,  officers  or
23    shareholders  shall  be  liable  to persons not in privity of
24    contract with such person, partnership,  or  corporation,  or
25    other   entity   for   civil  damages  resulting  from  acts,
26    omissions, decisions or  other  conduct  in  connection  with
27    professional  services performed by such person, partnership,
28    or corporation, or other entity, except for:
29        (1)  such acts,  omissions,  decisions  or  conduct  that
30    constitute fraud or intentional misrepresentations, or
31        (2)  such other acts, omissions, decisions or conduct, if
32    such  person,  partnership  or  corporation  was aware that a
33    primary  intent  of  the  client  was  for  the  professional
 
                            -37-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    services  to  benefit  or  influence  the  particular  person
 2    bringing the action; provided, however, for the  purposes  of
 3    this  subparagraph  (2),   if  such  person,  partnership, or
 4    corporation, or other entity (i) identifies in writing to the
 5    client  those  persons  who  are  intended  to  rely  on  the
 6    services, and (ii) sends a copy of such  writing  or  similar
 7    statement  to  those  persons  identified  in  the writing or
 8    statement, then such person, partnership, or corporation,  or
 9    other  entity  or  any  of  its employees, partners, members,
10    officers or shareholders may be  held  liable  only  to  such
11    persons  intended to so rely, in addition to those persons in
12    privity  of  contract  with  such  person,  partnership,   or
13    corporation, or other entity.
14    (Source: P.A. 84-1251.)

15        (225 ILCS 450/32) (from Ch. 111, par. 5537)
16        Sec.  32.   (a)  This  subsection  (a) applies only until
17    July 1, 2004.
18        All moneys received by  the  Department  under  this  Act
19    shall  be  deposited  into  the  Registered  Certified Public
20    Accountants' Administration and Disciplinary Fund,  which  is
21    hereby  created as a special fund in the State Treasury.  The
22    funds in the account shall be used by the Department  or  the
23    Board,  as  appropriated,  exclusively  for  expenses  of the
24    Department,  and   the   Public   Accountants'   Registration
25    Committee, or the Board in the administration of this Act.
26        Moneys  in  the  Registered Certified Public Accountants'
27    Administration and Disciplinary  Fund  may  be  invested  and
28    reinvested,  with  all earnings received from the investments
29    to  be  deposited  into  the  Registered   Certified   Public
30    Accountants' Administration and Disciplinary Fund.
31        Moneys  from  the  Fund  may  also be used for direct and
32    allocable indirect costs related to the  public  purposes  of
33    the  Department  of  Professional  Regulation  or  the Board.
 
                            -38-             LRB9206807ACcdam
 1    Moneys in the Fund may  be  transferred  to  the  Professions
 2    Indirect  Cost  Fund as authorized by Section 2105-300 of the
 3    Department  of   Professional   Regulation   Law   (20   ILCS
 4    2105/2105-300).
 5        (b)  This subsection (b) applies beginning July 1, 2004.
 6        All  moneys received by the Board under this Act shall be
 7    deposited into the Registered Certified  Public  Accountants'
 8    Administration  and  Disciplinary Fund, a special fund in the
 9    State Treasury.  The moneys in the Fund shall be used by  the
10    Board,  as  appropriated,  exclusively  for  expenses  of the
11    Department and the Board in the administration of this Act.
12        Moneys in the Registered  Certified  Public  Accountants'
13    Administration  and  Disciplinary  Fund  may  be invested and
14    reinvested, with all earnings received from  the  investments
15    to   be   deposited  into  the  Registered  Certified  Public
16    Accountants' Administration and Disciplinary Fund.
17    (Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

18        Section 99.  Effective date.  This  Section,  Section  5,
19    and  the  changes  to  Section  32  of  the  Illinois  Public
20    Accounting  Act  take  effect  upon  becoming law; all of the
21    other provisions take effect July 1, 2004.".

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