Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB1795
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Full Text of SB1795  97th General Assembly

SB1795enr 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

  
  
  

 


 
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1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012.
 
6    Section 5. Purpose. It is the purpose of this Act to
7provide for the protection, education, and welfare of the
8citizens of this State; to provide for the education,
9protection, and welfare of the students of its private business
10and vocational schools; and to facilitate and promote quality
11education and responsible, ethical, business practices in each
12of the private business and vocational schools enrolling
13students in this State.
 
14    Section 10. Validity of certificates under the Private
15Business and Vocational Schools Act. Certificates of approval
16granted by the State Board of Education under the Private
17Business and Vocational Schools Act, which is repealed by this
18Act, shall remain valid through June 30, 2012.
 
19    Section 15. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the
20context otherwise requires:
21    "Board" means the Board of Higher Education established

 

 

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1under the Board of Higher Education Act.
2    "Certificate of completion" or "certificate" means any
3designation, appellation, series of letters or words, or other
4symbol that signifies or purports to signify that the recipient
5thereof has satisfactorily completed a private business and
6vocational school's program of study that is beyond the
7secondary school level, but not a post-secondary degree program
8at the associate, baccalaureate, master's, doctoral, or
9post-baccalaureate, professional degree level.
10    "Chief managing employee" is the individual who is the head
11administrator or supervisor at a school's principal location.
12    "Educational institution" or "institution" means an
13organization that promotes business and vocational education,
14even though the institution's principal effort may not be
15exclusively educational in nature.
16    "Enrollment agreement" means any agreement or instrument,
17however named, that creates or evidences an obligation binding
18a student to purchase a program of study from a school.
19    "Non-degree program of study" or "program of study" means
20any designation, appellation, series of letters or words, or
21other symbol that signifies or purports to signify that the
22recipient has satisfactorily completed an organized academic
23program of study beyond the secondary school level, such as a
24certificate, but below the associate's degree level and that
25does not include any recognized degree program such as an
26associate's, baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral degree, a

 

 

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1post-baccalaureate, professional degree, or a post-degree
2certificate, such as a post-baccalaureate certificate,
3post-master's certificate, or post-doctoral certificate.
4"Program of study" as used in this definition means any
5academic program beyond the secondary school level, except for
6a program that is devoted entirely to religion or theology, a
7program offered by an institution operating under the authority
8of the Private College Act, the Academic Degree Act, or the
9Board of Higher Education Act, or a program of study of less
10than one year in length operating under the statutory authority
11granted to the Department of Financial and Professional
12Regulation.
13    "Permit of approval" means a non-transferable permit,
14issued by and pursuant to the authority of the Board of Higher
15Education through its Division of Private Business and
16Vocational Schools to a private business and vocational school
17in the name of the school, that authorizes the school to
18solicit students and to offer and maintain one or more courses
19of instruction in compliance with the provisions of this Act
20and such standards and rules as may be adopted by the Board.
21    "Private business and vocational school" or "school" means
22an educational institution privately owned or operated by a
23person, partnership, corporation, or other entity offering
24courses of instruction for which tuition is charged, whether
25such courses of instruction are offered on site, through
26correspondence, by distance education, or by other methods, to

 

 

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1prepare individuals to do any of the following:
2        (1) To follow a trade or artistic occupation.
3        (2) To pursue a manual, mechanical, technical,
4    industrial, business, commercial, office, personal service
5    (other than nursing), or other non-professional
6    occupation.
7        (3) To follow a profession, if the profession is not
8    subject to licensing or registration under any existing
9    State statute requiring the licensing or registration of
10    persons practicing such profession or if the school is not
11    subject to the regulation of the agency with such licensing
12    or registration authority.
13        (4) To improve, enhance, or add to the skills and
14    abilities of the individual relative to occupational
15    responsibilities or career opportunities.
 
16    Section 20. Permit of approval. No person or group of
17persons subject to this Act may establish and operate or be
18permitted to become incorporated for the purpose of operating a
19private business and vocational school without obtaining from
20the Board a permit of approval, provided that a permit of
21approval is not required for a program that is devoted entirely
22to religion or theology or a program offered by an institution
23operating under the authority of the Private College Act, the
24Academic Degree Act, or the Board of Higher Education Act.
25Application for a permit must be made to the Board upon forms

 

 

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1furnished by it. Permits of approval are not transferable.
2Whenever a change of ownership of a school occurs, an
3application for a permit of approval for the school under the
4changed ownership must immediately be filed with the Board.
5Whenever an owner, partnership, or corporation operates a
6school at different locations, an application for a permit of
7approval must be filed for each location. A school must have
8approval prior to operating at a location and must make
9application to the Board for any change of location and for a
10classroom extension at a new or changed location. Each
11application required to be filed in accordance with the
12provisions of this Section must be accompanied by the required
13fee under the provisions of Sections 75 and 85 of this Act, and
14all such applications must be made on forms prepared and
15furnished by the Board. The permit of approval must be
16prominently displayed at some place on the premises of the
17school at each school location open to the inspection of all
18interested persons. The Board shall maintain, open to public
19inspection, a list of schools, their classroom extensions, and
20their courses of instruction approved under this Act and may
21annually publish such a list. Issuance of the permit of
22approval by the Board does not denote that the school or any
23program offered by the school is recommended, guaranteed, or
24endorsed by the Board or that the Board is responsible for the
25quality of the school or its programs, and no school may
26communicate this to be the case. No guarantee of employability

 

 

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1of school graduates is made by the Board in its approval of
2programs or schools, and no school may communicate such
3information.
 
4    Section 25. Award of certificates.
5    (a) A certificate may be awarded only by a private business
6and vocational school approved by the Board to award such a
7certificate or by an institution approved by the Board under
8the authority of the Private College Act, the Academic Degree
9Act, or the Board of Higher Education Act. No private business
10and vocational school shall be authorized to award a
11certificate or be approved as a certificate-granting
12institution unless it provides documentation to the Board that
13it satisfies the criteria for approval. The documentation
14provided must be under oath or affirmation of the principal
15officer of the private business and vocational school and shall
16contain the name and address of the institution, the names and
17addresses of the president or other administrative head and of
18each member of the board of trustees or other governing board,
19a description of the certificates to be awarded and the course
20or courses of instruction prerequisite thereto, and such
21additional information relevant to the purposes of this Act as
22the Board may prescribe. Any amendment to the documentation
23must be under oath or affirmation of the principal officer of
24the institution and must be filed with the Board prior to the
25award of any certificate.

 

 

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1    (b) A certificate-granting institution shall keep the
2documentation that it shall have filed with the Board current
3at all times. For this purpose, it shall report annually, by
4appropriate amendment of the notice, any change in a fact
5previously reported.
6    The Board may not approve any documentation or amendment to
7the documentation filed pursuant to this Section unless it
8finds the facts stated therein to be correct and further finds
9that such facts constitute compliance with the requirements of
10this Act for institutions.
11    Failure to provide such documentation is grounds for
12revocation of the permit of approval.
 
13    Section 30. Exemptions. For purposes of this Act, the
14following shall not be considered to be a private business and
15vocational school:
16        (1) Any institution devoted entirely to the teaching of
17    religion or theology.
18        (2) Any in-service program of study and subject offered
19    by an employer, provided that no tuition is charged and the
20    instruction is offered only to employees of the employer.
21        (3) Any educational institution that (A) enrolls a
22    majority of its students in degree programs and has
23    maintained an accredited status with a regional
24    accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S.
25    Department of Education or (B) enrolls students in one or

 

 

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1    more bachelor-level programs, enrolls a majority of its
2    students in degree programs, and is accredited by a
3    national or regional accrediting agency that is recognized
4    by the U.S. Department of Education or that (i) is
5    regulated by the Board under the Private College Act or the
6    Academic Degree Act or is exempt from such regulation under
7    either the Private College Act or the Academic Degree Act
8    solely for the reason that the educational institution was
9    in operation on the effective date of either the Private
10    College Act or the Academic Degree Act or (ii) is regulated
11    by the State Board of Education.
12        (4) Any institution and the franchisees of that
13    institution that exclusively offer a program of study in
14    income tax theory or return preparation at a total contract
15    price of no more than $400, provided that the total annual
16    enrollment of the institution for all such courses of
17    instruction exceeds 500 students and further provided that
18    the total contract price for all instruction offered to a
19    student in any one calendar year does not exceed $3,000.
20        (5) Any person or organization selling mediated
21    instruction products through a media, such as tapes,
22    compact discs, digital video discs, or similar media, so
23    long as the instruction is not intended to result in the
24    acquisition of training for a specific employment field, is
25    not intended to meet a qualification for licensure or
26    certification in an employment field, or is not intended to

 

 

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1    provide credit that can be applied toward a certificate or
2    degree program.
3        (6) Schools with no physical presence in this State.
4    Schools offering instruction or programs of study, but that
5    have no physical presence in this State, are not required
6    to receive Board approval. Such an institution must not be
7    considered not to have a physical presence in this State
8    unless it has received a written finding from the Board
9    that it has a limited physical presence. In determining
10    whether an institution has no physical presence, the Board
11    shall require all of the following:
12            (A) Evidence of authorization to operate in at
13        least one other state and that the school is in good
14        standing with that state's authorizing agency.
15            (B) Evidence that the school has a means of
16        receiving and addressing student complaints in
17        compliance with any federal or state requirements.
18            (C) Evidence that the institution is providing no
19        instruction in this State.
20            (D) Evidence that the institution is not providing
21        core academic support services, including, but not
22        limited to, admissions, evaluation, assessment,
23        registration, financial aid, academic scheduling, and
24        faculty hiring and support in this State.
 
25    Section 35. Institution and program approval criteria.

 

 

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1Each entity seeking a permit of approval is required to
2demonstrate that it satisfies institution-approval criteria
3and that each program of study offered meets the
4program-approval criteria in this Act and any applicable rules.
5The following standard criteria are intended to measure the
6appropriateness of the stated educational objectives of the
7educational programs of a given institution and the extent to
8which suitable and proper processes have been developed for
9meeting those objectives. Information related to the
10satisfaction of the approval criteria outlined in this Section
11must be supplied to the Board by institutions on forms provided
12by the Board. Additional information may be requested by the
13Board to determine the institution's ability to satisfy the
14criteria. The following must be considered as part of, but not
15necessarily all of, the criteria for approval of institutions
16and the programs offered under this Act:
17        (1) Qualifications of governing board members, owners,
18    and senior administrators. At a minimum, these individuals
19    must be of good moral character and have no felony criminal
20    record.
21        (2) Qualifications of faculty and staff.
22        (3) Demonstration of student learning and quality of
23    program delivery.
24        (4) Sufficiency of institutional finances.
25        (5) Accuracy, clarity, and appropriateness of program
26    descriptions. Institutional promotional, advertising, and

 

 

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1    recruiting materials must be clear, appropriate, and
2    accurate.
3        (6) Sufficiency of facilities and equipment. At a
4    minimum, these must be appropriate and must meet applicable
5    safety code requirements and ordinances.
6        (7) Fair and equitable refund policies. At a minimum,
7    these must be fair and equitable, must satisfy any related
8    State or federal rules, and must abide by the standards
9    established in Section 60 of this Act and the rules adopted
10    for the implementation of this Act.
11        (8) Appropriate and ethical admissions and recruitment
12    practices. At a minimum, recruiting practices must be
13    ethical and abide by any State or federal rules.
14        (9) Recognized accreditation status. Accreditation
15    with an accrediting body approved by the U.S. Department of
16    Education may be counted as significant evidence of the
17    institution's ability to meet curricular approval
18    criteria.
19        (10) Meeting employment requirements in the field of
20    study. The institution must clearly demonstrate how a
21    student's completion of the program of study satisfies
22    employment requirements in the occupational field. Such
23    information must be clearly and accurately provided to
24    students. If licensure, certification, or their equivalent
25    is required of program graduates to enter the field of
26    employment, the institution must clearly demonstrate that

 

 

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1    completion of the program will allow students to achieve
2    this status.
3        (11) Enrollment agreements that, at a minimum, meet the
4    requirements outlined in Section 40 of this Act.
5        (12) Clearly communicated tuition and fee charges.
6    Tuition and fees and any other expense charged by the
7    school must be appropriate to the expected income that will
8    be earned by graduates. No school may have a tuition policy
9    or enrollment agreement that requires that a student
10    register for more than a single semester, quarter, term, or
11    other such period of enrollment as a condition of the
12    enrollment nor shall any school charge a student for
13    multiple periods of enrollment prior to completion of the
14    single semester, quarter, term, or other such period of
15    enrollment.
16        (13) Legal action against the institution, its parent
17    company, its owners, its governing board, or its board
18    members. Any such legal action must be provided to the
19    Board and may be considered as a reason for denial or
20    revocation of the permit of approval.
 
21    Section 37. Disclosures. All schools shall make, at a
22minimum, the disclosures required under this Section clearly
23and conspicuously on their Internet websites. The disclosure
24shall consist of a statement containing the following
25information for the most recent 12-month reporting period of

 

 

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1July 1 through June 30:
2        (1) The number of students who were admitted in the
3    course of instruction as of July 1 of that reporting
4    period.
5        (2) Additions during the year due to:
6            (A) new starts;
7            (B) re-enrollments; and
8            (C) transfers into the course of instruction from
9        other courses of instruction at the school.
10        (3) The total number of students admitted during the
11    reporting period (the number of students reported under
12    paragraph (1) of this Section plus the additions reported
13    under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (2) of
14    this Section.
15        (4) Of the total course of instruction enrollment, the
16    number of students who:
17            (A) transferred out of the course of instruction to
18        another course of instruction;
19            (B) completed or graduated from a course of
20        instruction;
21            (C) withdrew from the school;
22            (D) are still enrolled.
23        (5) The number of students listed in paragraph (4) of
24    this Section who:
25            (A) were placed in their field of study;
26            (B) were placed in a related field;

 

 

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1            (C) placed out of the field;
2            (D) were not available for placement due to
3        personal reasons;
4            (E) were not employed.
5        (6) The number of students who took a State licensing
6    examination or professional certification examination, if
7    any, during the reporting period, as well as the number who
8    passed.
9        (7) The number of graduates who obtained employment in
10    the field who did not use the school's placement assistance
11    during the reporting period; such information may be
12    compiled by reasonable efforts of the school to contact
13    graduates by written correspondence.
14        (8) The average starting salary for all school
15    graduates employed during the reporting period; such
16    information may be compiled by reasonable efforts of the
17    school to contact graduates by written correspondence.
18        (9) The following clear and conspicuous caption, set
19    forth with the address and telephone number of the Board's
20    office:
21            "COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS SCHOOL MAY BE REGISTERED
22        WITH THE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION.".
23    An alphabetical list of names, addresses, and dates of
24admission by course or course of instruction and a sample copy
25of the enrollment agreement employed to enroll the students
26listed shall be filed with the Board's Executive Director on an

 

 

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1annual basis. The list shall be signed and verified by the
2school's chief managing employee.
 
3    Section 40. Enrollment agreements. A copy of the enrollment
4agreement must be provided to the Board. Enrollment agreements
5may be used by schools only if approved by the Board. The Board
6shall develop a standard enrollment agreement for use by
7schools approved or seeking approval under this Act. Schools
8may create an enrollment agreement that meets the minimum
9requirements of this Section, but it must be approved by the
10Board prior to implementation. The student must be given a copy
11of the enrollment agreement at the time the student signs that
12agreement and at the time of the agreement's acceptance, if
13those events occur at different times. The school shall retain
14a signed copy of the fully executed enrollment agreement as a
15part of the student's permanent record. No school may enter
16into an enrollment agreement wherein the student waives the
17right to assert against the school or any assignee any claim or
18defense he or she may have against the school arising under the
19agreement. Any provisions in an enrollment agreement wherein
20the student agrees to such a waiver shall be rendered void.
21Enrollment agreements shall include, at a minimum, a clear
22description of costs, refund policies, program information,
23all disclosures required by this Act, the Board's Internet
24website, the address and phone number of the Board for students
25to report complaints, and any additional information the Board

 

 

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1may require by rule.
 
2    Section 45. Board approval. Each school approved by the
3Board under this Act is responsible for the content of any
4program offered. Issuance of the permit of approval does not
5denote that the school or any program offered by the school is
6recommended, guaranteed, or endorsed by the Board. Schools may
7not advertise or communicate to students or the public in any
8way that indicates endorsement of the school or any program by
9the Board.
 
10    Section 50. Requirements for approved institutions. Each
11school and each of the non-degree programs of study offered by
12the school shall be approved for 5 years, subject to the terms
13and conditions of approval, including without limitation the
14submission of required reporting and the payment of required
15charges and fees under the provisions of Section 75 of this
16Act, and compliance with any other requirements in this Act or
17supporting rules. Failure to so comply at any time during the 5
18years is grounds for immediate revocation of the permit of
19approval. Information requested by the Board must be submitted
20annually or, in special circumstances, at the request of the
21Board. Failure to do so is grounds for immediate revocation of
22the permit of approval. Each non-degree program of study must
23be approved by the Board as well. Regardless of when the
24program was approved, all programs of study must be approved

 

 

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1again with the institutional approval at the end of the 5-year
2approval period or in conjunction with an earlier review if so
3required under this Act or the administrative rules adopted in
4support of this Act. The Board's Executive Director has the
5authority to order any school subject to this Act to cease and
6desist operations if the school is found to have acted contrary
7to the standards set forth in this Act or the supporting
8administrative rules.
 
9    Section 55. Maintenance of approval. Institutions covered
10under this Act must meet the following requirements to receive
11and maintain approval:
12        (1) Provide a surety bond. A continuous surety company
13    bond, written by a company authorized to do business in
14    this State, for the protection of contractual rights,
15    including faithful performance of all contracts and
16    agreements for students and their parents, guardians, or
17    sponsors. The Board shall establish the bond amount by
18    rule. The amount of the bond must be sufficient to provide
19    for the repayment of full tuition to all students enrolled
20    at the institution in the event of closure of the
21    institution. Evidence of the continuation of the bond must
22    be filed annually with the Board. The surety bond must be a
23    written agreement that provides for monetary compensation
24    in the event that the school fails to fulfill its
25    obligations to its students and their parents, guardians,

 

 

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1    or sponsors. The surety bonding company shall guarantee the
2    return to students and their parents, guardians, or
3    sponsors of all prepaid, unearned tuition in the event of
4    school closure. A condition of the bond shall be that the
5    bond agent shall notify the Board in the event the bond is
6    no longer in effect.
7        (2) Provide to the Board and each student the school's
8    policy for addressing student complaints. Included in this
9    process, the school must provide in its promotional
10    materials and on its Internet website the Board's address
11    and Internet website for reporting complaints.
12        (3) Provide on the institution's Internet website and
13    in promotional materials and enrollment agreements the
14    Internet website, address, and phone number of the Board
15    for students to report complaints.
16        (4) Provide evidence of liability insurance, in such
17    form and amount as the Board shall from time to time
18    prescribe pursuant to rules adopted under this Act, to
19    protect students and employees at the school's places of
20    business and at all classroom extensions, including any
21    work-experience locations.
22        (5) Provide data as requested by the Board to support
23    the satisfaction of the requirements of this Act or to
24    provide vocational and technical educational data for the
25    longitudinal data system created under the P-20
26    Longitudinal Education Data System Act.

 

 

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1        (6) Pay required fees as described under the provisions
2    of Section 75 of this Act by prescribed deadlines.
3        (7) With respect to advertising programs of study, all
4    of the following apply:
5            (A) A school may state that it is approved to offer
6        a program of study or authorized to award a certificate
7        in this State only after that approval has been
8        officially granted and received in writing from the
9        Board.
10            (B) A school shall not advertise or state in any
11        manner that it is accredited by the Board to award
12        degrees or certificates.
13            (C) No school may publish or otherwise communicate
14        to prospective students, faculty, staff, or the public
15        misleading or erroneous information about the
16        certificate or degree-granting status of a given
17        institution.
18            (D) All advertisements or solicitations by
19        approved schools shall only reference the Board's
20        approval by stating that the school is approved by the
21        "Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools".
22            (E) All advertisements or solicitations by
23        approved schools shall contain the school's official
24        Internet website address.
25        (8) Permit the Board's Executive Director or his or her
26    designees to inspect the school or classes thereof from

 

 

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1    time to time with or without notice and to make available
2    to the Board's Executive Director or his or her designees,
3    at any time when required to do so, information, including
4    financial information, pertaining to the activities of the
5    school required for the administration of this Act and the
6    standards and rules adopted under this Act.
7        (9) Maintain satisfactory student retention and
8    graduation rates and State licensing examination or
9    professional certification examination passage rates.
10    Student retention and graduation rates must be maintained
11    that are appropriate to standards in the field. A State
12    licensing examination or professional certification
13    examination passage rate of at least 50% of the average
14    passage rate for schools within the industry for any State
15    licensing examination or professional certification
16    examination must be maintained. In the event that the
17    school fails to do so, then that school shall be placed on
18    probation for one year. If that school's passage rate in
19    its next reporting period does not exceed 50% of the
20    average passage rate of that class of school as a whole,
21    then the Board shall revoke the school's approval for that
22    program to operate in this State. In addition, this shall
23    be grounds for reviewing the institution's approval to
24    operate. The Board shall develop, by rule, a procedure to
25    ensure the veracity of the information required under this
26    Section.

 

 

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1        (10) Not enter into an enrollment agreement wherein the
2    student waives the right to assert against the school or
3    any assignee any claim or defense he or she may have
4    against the school arising under the agreement. Any
5    provisions in an enrollment agreement wherein the student
6    agrees to such a waiver shall be rendered void.
7        (11) Not have a tuition policy or enrollment agreement
8    that requires that a student register for more than a
9    single semester, quarter, term, or other such period of
10    enrollment as a condition of the enrollment nor charge a
11    student for multiple periods of enrollment prior to
12    completion of a single semester, quarter, term, or other
13    such period of enrollment.
14        (12) Provide the Board with a copy of any notice of
15    warning or suspension or revocation received from an
16    accrediting agency or State or federal oversight body
17    within 15 days after receipt of the notice. The school
18    shall, at the same time, inform the Board, in writing, on
19    actions being taken to correct all deficiencies cited.
20        (13) Maintain a fair and equitable refund policy and
21    abide by it. Such a policy shall abide by any State or
22    federal rules as appropriate. The same policy shall apply
23    to all students equally.
24        (14) Act in an ethical manner.
 
25    Section 60. Refund policy. The Board shall establish

 

 

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1minimum standards for a fair and equitable refund policy that
2must be applied by all institutions subject to this Act. The
3same refund policy must be applied to all students even if they
4are not eligible for federal financial aid. Schools that are
5accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S.
6Department of Education and approved to participate in offering
7Federal Title IV student financial aid may apply the required
8federal refund policy as long as the same policy is applied to
9all students even if they are not eligible for federal
10financial aid.
 
11    Section 65. Prohibition against advertising a school or
12soliciting students without Board authorization. Prior to the
13issuance of a permit of approval by the Board, no person or
14organization shall advertise a school or any program of study
15or solicit prospective students unless the person or
16organization has applied for and received from the Board
17authorization to conduct such activity. If the Board has
18authorized such activity, all advertisements or solicitations
19must reference the Board's approval by stating that the school
20is approved by the "Division of Private Business and Vocational
21Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education".
 
22    Section 70. Closing of a school.
23    (a) In the event a school proposes to discontinue its
24operations, the chief administrative officer of the school

 

 

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1shall cause to be filed with the Board the original or legible
2true copies of all such academic records of the institution as
3may be specified by the Board.
4    (b) These records shall include, at a minimum, the academic
5records of each former student that is traditionally provided
6on an academic transcript, such as, but not limited to, courses
7taken, terms, grades, and other such information.
8    (c) In the event it appears to the Board that any such
9records of an institution discontinuing its operations is in
10danger of being lost, hidden, destroyed, or otherwise made
11unavailable to the Board, the Board may seize and take
12possession of the records, on its own motion and without order
13of court.
14    (d) The Board shall maintain or cause to be maintained a
15permanent file of such records coming into its possession.
16    (e) As an alternative to the deposit of such records with
17the Board, the institution may propose to the Board a plan for
18permanent retention of the records. The plan must be put into
19effect only with the approval of the Board.
20    (f) When a postsecondary educational institution now or
21hereafter operating in this State proposes to discontinue its
22operation, such institution shall cause to be created a
23teach-out plan acceptable to the Board, which shall fulfill the
24school's educational obligations to its students. Should the
25school fail to deliver or act on the teach-out plan, the Board
26is in no way responsible for providing the teach-out.

 

 

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1    (g) The school and its designated surety bonding company
2are responsible for the return to students of all prepaid,
3unearned tuition. As identified in Section 55 of this Act, the
4surety bond must be a written agreement that provides for
5monetary compensation in the event that the school fails to
6fulfill its obligations. The surety bonding company shall
7guarantee the return to the school's students and their
8parents, guardians, or sponsors of all prepaid, unearned
9tuition in the event of school closure. Should the school or
10its surety bonding company fail to deliver or act to fulfill
11the obligation, the Board is in no way responsible for the
12repayment or any related damages or claims.
 
13    Section 75. Application and renewal fees. Fees for
14application and renewal may be set by the Board by rule. Fees
15shall be collected for all of the following:
16        (1) An original school application for a certificate of
17    approval.
18        (2) An initial school application for a certificate of
19    approval upon occurrence of a change of ownership.
20        (3) An annual school application for renewal of a
21    certificate of approval.
22        (4) A school application for a change of location.
23        (5) A school application for a classroom extension.
24        (6) If an applicant school that has not remedied all
25    deficiencies cited by the Board within 12 months after the

 

 

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1    date of its original application for a certificate of
2    approval, an additional original application fee for the
3    continued cost of investigation of its application.
4        (7) Transcript processing.
 
5    Section 80. Private Business and Vocational Schools
6Quality Assurance Fund. The Private Business and Vocational
7Schools Quality Assurance Fund is created as a special fund in
8the State treasury. All fees collected for the administration
9and enforcement of this Act must be deposited into this Fund.
10All money in the Fund must be used, subject to appropriation,
11by the Board to supplement support for the administration and
12enforcement of this Act and must not be used for any other
13purpose.
 
14    Section 85. Violations under the Act.
15    (a) The Board's Executive Director has the authority to
16order any school subject to this Act to cease and desist
17operations if the school is found to have acted contrary to the
18standards set forth in this Act or supporting rules.
19    (b) The Board's Executive Director shall, before refusing
20to issue or renew, and before revocation of any certificate or
21permit, at least 10 days prior to the date set for the hearing,
22notify in writing the applicant for or holder of a certificate
23or permit (the respondent) that a hearing shall be held on the
24date designated to determine whether the respondent is

 

 

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1privileged to hold such certificate or permit, and shall afford
2the respondent an opportunity to be heard in person or by
3counsel in reference thereto. The written notice may be served
4by delivery of the same personally to the respondent, or by
5mailing the same by registered mail to the place of business
6last specified by the respondent in the last notification to
7the Board's Executive Director. At the time and place fixed in
8the notice, the Board's Executive Director or his or her
9designated hearing officer shall proceed to hear the charges
10and both the respondent and the complainant shall be accorded
11ample opportunity to present in person or by counsel such
12statements, testimony, evidence, and arguments as may be
13pertinent to the charges or to any defense thereto. The Board's
14Executive Director or his or her designated hearing officer may
15continue such hearing from time to time. If the Board's
16Executive Director shall not be sitting at the time and place
17fixed in the notice or at the time and place to which the
18hearing shall have been continued, the Board's Executive
19Director or his or her designated hearing officer shall
20continue such hearing for a period not to exceed 30 days.
21Failure of the respondent to appear on the date set for hearing
22or failure to proceed as ordered by the Board's Executive
23Director or his or her designated hearing officer shall
24constitute a default and automatic revocation.
25    (c) The Board's Executive Director is authorized to
26subpoena and bring before a hearing officer any person or

 

 

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1persons in this State and to take testimony either orally or by
2deposition or by exhibit, with the same fees and mileage and in
3the same manner as prescribed by law in judicial proceedings in
4civil cases in circuit courts of this State. The Board's
5Executive Director or the designated hearing officer shall
6administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing that the Board's
7Executive Director is authorized by law to conduct.
8    (d) Any circuit court, upon the application of the
9respondent or complainant or of the Board's Executive Director,
10may by order duly entered, require the attendance of witnesses
11and the production of relevant books and papers before any
12hearing the Board's Executive Director is authorized to
13conduct, and the court may compel obedience to its order by
14proceedings for contempt.
15    (e) The Board shall establish rules for the appeal of
16decisions to revoke the permit of approval. At a minimum, the
17rules shall include all of the following:
18        (1) The school must be notified of the revocation in
19    writing through registered mail or other appropriate
20    notification.
21        (2) The school has 10 business days after notification
22    to request an appeal of the decision.
23        (3) The Board shall not be required to schedule a
24    hearing and has the option to waive a hearing if the
25    institution has not operated for one continuous, 12-month
26    period or the institution has been abandoned; however, even

 

 

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1    in these cases, the Board shall be required to revoke the
2    authority at a public hearing at which any opponent who is
3    injured or impacted by the revocation must be given the
4    opportunity to be heard.
5        (4) The Board shall designate a hearing officer, who
6    shall schedule and conduct a hearing.
7        (5) The hearing officer shall make a final
8    administrative decision, which decision may be reviewed
9    judicially by the circuit court in accordance with
10    subsection (f) of this Section.
11    (f) Any person affected by a final administrative decision
12of the Board's Executive Director may have such decision
13reviewed judicially by the circuit court of the county wherein
14the person resides, or in the case of a corporation, wherein
15the registered office is located. If the plaintiff in the
16review proceeding is not a resident of this State, the venue
17shall be in Sangamon County. The provisions of the
18Administrative Review Law, and all amendments and
19modifications thereof, and the rules adopted pursuant thereto,
20shall apply to and govern all proceedings for the judicial
21review of final administrative decisions of the Board's
22Executive Director. "Administrative decisions" has the same
23meaning as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
24    (g) Except for the violations enumerated in subsection (e)
25of this Section, any owner, operator, or authorized agent of a
26school who knowingly violates any provision of this Act is

 

 

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1guilty of a business offense.
2    (h) Any owner, operator, or authorized agent of a private
3business and vocational school who commits any of the following
4offenses is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first
5offense and a Class 4 felony for the second or subsequent
6offense:
7        (1) Knowingly, and for the purpose of influencing or
8    inducing a person to enroll in the program of study offered
9    by the school, makes any false or misleading statements,
10    misrepresentations, or false promises to the person
11    regarding opportunities upon graduation from the school
12    for (i) employment in a business, industry, or trade, (ii)
13    admission to an institution of higher learning, or (iii)
14    admission to an occupational licensing examination.
15        (2) Knowingly, and with intent to defraud, retains in
16    excess of the school's refund policy prescribed in this Act
17    any unearned tuition or fees paid by a student who has
18    cancelled his or her enrollment agreement and is entitled
19    to a refund.
20        (3) Knowingly, and with intent to defraud,
21    misrepresents that any student who has cancelled his or her
22    enrollment agreement is presently enrolled in the school,
23    has completed the program of study, or has graduated from
24    the school.
25        (4) Knowingly uses or attempts to use students in any
26    commercial or manufacturing activity related to the

 

 

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1    operation of the school and to the school's advantage and
2    profit, except to the extent that the school provides the
3    student with practical experience supplemental to the
4    course of instruction or except in the case of students who
5    are employed by the school and compensated for such
6    employment.
7    (i) The Board shall adopt rules to pursue resolution of
8complaints. At a minimum, the rules shall include all of the
9following:
10        (1) Student complaints must be submitted in writing to
11    the Board.
12        (2) Board staff shall contact the school about the
13    complaint by registered mail or other appropriate
14    notification. The school has 10 business days to respond to
15    the Board about the complaint. The Board shall provide a
16    resolution determination to the school. The school may
17    request a hearing about the proposed resolution within 10
18    business days after the delivery of the complaint by
19    registered mail or other appropriate notification. If the
20    school does not abide by the resolution determination, then
21    the Board can issue a cease and desist order to the school.
22    If the school does not comply with the cease and desist
23    order, then the Board may revoke the school's permit of
24    approval.
25        (3) The complaint may be forwarded to the institution's
26    accrediting body.

 

 

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1        (4) The Board shall annually issue a public report
2    about the complaints received. At a minimum, the report
3    shall include the institution, the nature of the complaint,
4    and the current resolution status of the complaint. No
5    individual student shall be named in the report.
6    (j) Upon application of the Board's Executive Director, the
7Attorney General or any State's Attorney, the Circuit Court of
8each county in which a violation of this Act or the rules and
9regulations has occurred, shall have jurisdiction to enjoin any
10violation thereof.
11    (k) The following acts or omissions by an owner, operator,
12or authorized agent of a private business and vocational school
13shall constitute violations of this Act and unlawful practices
14pursuant to the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices
15Act:
16        (1) False or misleading statements,
17    misrepresentations, or false promises that have the
18    tendency or capacity to influence or induce persons to
19    enroll in the program of study offered by the school.
20        (2) Failure or refusal of the school to make the
21    disclosures in advertising materials in the enrollment
22    agreement and on its Internet website as required by this
23    Act, or the making of false or inaccurate statements in
24    such disclosures.
25        (3) Failure or refusal of the school to refund fees and
26    unearned tuition, in accordance with the refund policy

 

 

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1    prescribed by this Act, to any student who cancels his or
2    her enrollment agreement.
3        (4) Failure or refusal of the school to employ course
4    instructors under conditions presented to the Board to
5    satisfy the requirements of this Act or to provide the
6    equipment, facilities, or services necessary to implement
7    the program of study as presented to the Board to satisfy
8    the requirements of the Act.
9    (l) Whenever the Attorney General or a State's Attorney
10receives a complaint against a private business and vocational
11school that alleges one or more of the violations enumerated in
12subsection (k) of this Section, he or she may conduct an
13investigation to determine the validity of the complaint and,
14if a violation or violations are found, may use any or all of
15the remedies, penalties, or authority granted to him or her by
16the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to
17correct such violations and enforce the provisions of this Act.
18Within 10 business days after receipt, the Board shall transmit
19to the Attorney General and the appropriate State's Attorney
20copies of complaints filed in the Board's office that allege
21one or more of the violations enumerated in subsection (k) of
22this Section.
23    (m) Any person who suffers damages as a result of a
24violation of this Act committed by a school or its
25representative may bring an action against the school. The
26court, in its discretion, may award actual damages, treble

 

 

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1actual damages if fraud is proved, injunctive relief, and any
2other relief that the court deems proper.
3    Such action may be commenced in the county where the school
4is located or has its principal place of business or in the
5county where the transaction or any substantial portion thereof
6occurred.
7    In any action brought by a person under this Section, the
8court may award, in addition to the relief provided in this
9Section, reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing
10party.
11    Either party to an action under this Section may request a
12trial by jury.
 
13    Section 90. Rulemaking authority. The Board shall have
14rulemaking authority as necessary and appropriate to implement
15this Act. Rulemaking authority to implement this Act, if any,
16is conditioned on the rules being adopted in accordance with
17all provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and
18all rules and procedures of the Joint Committee on
19Administrative Rules; any purported rule not so adopted, for
20whatever reason, is unauthorized.
 
21    Section 500. The Department of Professional Regulation Law
22of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by
23changing Section 2105-15 as follows:
 

 

 

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1    (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15)
2    Sec. 2105-15. General powers and duties.
3    (a) The Department has, subject to the provisions of the
4Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the following powers and
5duties:
6        (1) To authorize examinations in English to ascertain
7    the qualifications and fitness of applicants to exercise
8    the profession, trade, or occupation for which the
9    examination is held.
10        (2) To prescribe rules and regulations for a fair and
11    wholly impartial method of examination of candidates to
12    exercise the respective professions, trades, or
13    occupations.
14        (3) To pass upon the qualifications of applicants for
15    licenses, certificates, and authorities, whether by
16    examination, by reciprocity, or by endorsement.
17        (4) To prescribe rules and regulations defining, for
18    the respective professions, trades, and occupations, what
19    shall constitute a school, college, or university, or
20    department of a university, or other institution,
21    reputable and in good standing, and to determine the
22    reputability and good standing of a school, college, or
23    university, or department of a university, or other
24    institution, reputable and in good standing, by reference
25    to a compliance with those rules and regulations; provided,
26    that no school, college, or university, or department of a

 

 

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1    university, or other institution that refuses admittance
2    to applicants solely on account of race, color, creed, sex,
3    or national origin shall be considered reputable and in
4    good standing.
5        (5) To conduct hearings on proceedings to revoke,
6    suspend, refuse to renew, place on probationary status, or
7    take other disciplinary action as authorized in any
8    licensing Act administered by the Department with regard to
9    licenses, certificates, or authorities of persons
10    exercising the respective professions, trades, or
11    occupations and to revoke, suspend, refuse to renew, place
12    on probationary status, or take other disciplinary action
13    as authorized in any licensing Act administered by the
14    Department with regard to those licenses, certificates, or
15    authorities. The Department shall issue a monthly
16    disciplinary report. The Department shall deny any license
17    or renewal authorized by the Civil Administrative Code of
18    Illinois to any person who has defaulted on an educational
19    loan or scholarship provided by or guaranteed by the
20    Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental
21    agency of this State; however, the Department may issue a
22    license or renewal if the aforementioned persons have
23    established a satisfactory repayment record as determined
24    by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or other
25    appropriate governmental agency of this State.
26    Additionally, beginning June 1, 1996, any license issued by

 

 

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1    the Department may be suspended or revoked if the
2    Department, after the opportunity for a hearing under the
3    appropriate licensing Act, finds that the licensee has
4    failed to make satisfactory repayment to the Illinois
5    Student Assistance Commission for a delinquent or
6    defaulted loan. For the purposes of this Section,
7    "satisfactory repayment record" shall be defined by rule.
8    The Department shall refuse to issue or renew a license to,
9    or shall suspend or revoke a license of, any person who,
10    after receiving notice, fails to comply with a subpoena or
11    warrant relating to a paternity or child support
12    proceeding. However, the Department may issue a license or
13    renewal upon compliance with the subpoena or warrant.
14        The Department, without further process or hearings,
15    shall revoke, suspend, or deny any license or renewal
16    authorized by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to
17    a person who is certified by the Department of Healthcare
18    and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of
19    Public Aid) as being more than 30 days delinquent in
20    complying with a child support order or who is certified by
21    a court as being in violation of the Non-Support Punishment
22    Act for more than 60 days. The Department may, however,
23    issue a license or renewal if the person has established a
24    satisfactory repayment record as determined by the
25    Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly
26    Illinois Department of Public Aid) or if the person is

 

 

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1    determined by the court to be in compliance with the
2    Non-Support Punishment Act. The Department may implement
3    this paragraph as added by Public Act 89-6 through the use
4    of emergency rules in accordance with Section 5-45 of the
5    Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. For purposes of the
6    Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, the adoption of
7    rules to implement this paragraph shall be considered an
8    emergency and necessary for the public interest, safety,
9    and welfare.
10        (6) To transfer jurisdiction of any realty under the
11    control of the Department to any other department of the
12    State Government or to acquire or accept federal lands when
13    the transfer, acquisition, or acceptance is advantageous
14    to the State and is approved in writing by the Governor.
15        (7) To formulate rules and regulations necessary for
16    the enforcement of any Act administered by the Department.
17        (8) To exchange with the Department of Healthcare and
18    Family Services information that may be necessary for the
19    enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to the
20    Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and
21    Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and
22    Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised
23    Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform
24    Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage
25    Act of 1984. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Code to
26    the contrary, the Department of Professional Regulation

 

 

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1    shall not be liable under any federal or State law to any
2    person for any disclosure of information to the Department
3    of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois
4    Department of Public Aid) under this paragraph (8) or for
5    any other action taken in good faith to comply with the
6    requirements of this paragraph (8).
7        (9) To perform other duties prescribed by law.
8    (a-5) Except in cases involving default on an educational
9loan or scholarship provided by or guaranteed by the Illinois
10Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of
11this State or in cases involving delinquency in complying with
12a child support order or violation of the Non-Support
13Punishment Act, no person or entity whose license, certificate,
14or authority has been revoked as authorized in any licensing
15Act administered by the Department may apply for restoration of
16that license, certification, or authority until 3 years after
17the effective date of the revocation.
18    (b) The Department may, when a fee is payable to the
19Department for a wall certificate of registration provided by
20the Department of Central Management Services, require that
21portion of the payment for printing and distribution costs be
22made directly or through the Department to the Department of
23Central Management Services for deposit into the Paper and
24Printing Revolving Fund. The remainder shall be deposited into
25the General Revenue Fund.
26    (c) For the purpose of securing and preparing evidence, and

 

 

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1for the purchase of controlled substances, professional
2services, and equipment necessary for enforcement activities,
3recoupment of investigative costs, and other activities
4directed at suppressing the misuse and abuse of controlled
5substances, including those activities set forth in Sections
6504 and 508 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the
7Director and agents appointed and authorized by the Director
8may expend sums from the Professional Regulation Evidence Fund
9that the Director deems necessary from the amounts appropriated
10for that purpose. Those sums may be advanced to the agent when
11the Director deems that procedure to be in the public interest.
12Sums for the purchase of controlled substances, professional
13services, and equipment necessary for enforcement activities
14and other activities as set forth in this Section shall be
15advanced to the agent who is to make the purchase from the
16Professional Regulation Evidence Fund on vouchers signed by the
17Director. The Director and those agents are authorized to
18maintain one or more commercial checking accounts with any
19State banking corporation or corporations organized under or
20subject to the Illinois Banking Act for the deposit and
21withdrawal of moneys to be used for the purposes set forth in
22this Section; provided, that no check may be written nor any
23withdrawal made from any such account except upon the written
24signatures of 2 persons designated by the Director to write
25those checks and make those withdrawals. Vouchers for those
26expenditures must be signed by the Director. All such

 

 

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1expenditures shall be audited by the Director, and the audit
2shall be submitted to the Department of Central Management
3Services for approval.
4    (d) Whenever the Department is authorized or required by
5law to consider some aspect of criminal history record
6information for the purpose of carrying out its statutory
7powers and responsibilities, then, upon request and payment of
8fees in conformance with the requirements of Section 2605-400
9of the Department of State Police Law (20 ILCS 2605/2605-400),
10the Department of State Police is authorized to furnish,
11pursuant to positive identification, the information contained
12in State files that is necessary to fulfill the request.
13    (e) The provisions of this Section do not apply to private
14business and vocational schools as defined by Section 15 1 of
15the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012.
16    (f) Beginning July 1, 1995, this Section does not apply to
17those professions, trades, and occupations licensed under the
18Real Estate License Act of 2000, nor does it apply to any
19permits, certificates, or other authorizations to do business
20provided for in the Land Sales Registration Act of 1989 or the
21Illinois Real Estate Time-Share Act.
22    (g) Notwithstanding anything that may appear in any
23individual licensing statute or administrative rule, the
24Department shall deny any license application or renewal
25authorized under any licensing Act administered by the
26Department to any person who has failed to file a return, or to

 

 

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1pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or
2to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as
3required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department
4of Revenue, until such time as the requirement of any such tax
5Act are satisfied; however, the Department may issue a license
6or renewal if the person has established a satisfactory
7repayment record as determined by the Illinois Department of
8Revenue. For the purpose of this Section, "satisfactory
9repayment record" shall be defined by rule.
10    In addition, a complaint filed with the Department by the
11Illinois Department of Revenue that includes a certification,
12signed by its Director or designee, attesting to the amount of
13the unpaid tax liability or the years for which a return was
14not filed, or both, is prima facia evidence of the licensee's
15failure to comply with the tax laws administered by the
16Illinois Department of Revenue. Upon receipt of that
17certification, the Department shall, without a hearing,
18immediately suspend all licenses held by the licensee.
19Enforcement of the Department's order shall be stayed for 60
20days. The Department shall provide notice of the suspension to
21the licensee by mailing a copy of the Department's order by
22certified and regular mail to the licensee's last known address
23as registered with the Department. The notice shall advise the
24licensee that the suspension shall be effective 60 days after
25the issuance of the Department's order unless the Department
26receives, from the licensee, a request for a hearing before the

 

 

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1Department to dispute the matters contained in the order.
2    Any suspension imposed under this subsection (g) shall be
3terminated by the Department upon notification from the
4Illinois Department of Revenue that the licensee is in
5compliance with all tax laws administered by the Illinois
6Department of Revenue.
7    The Department shall promulgate rules for the
8administration of this subsection (g).
9    (h) The Department may grant the title "Retired", to be
10used immediately adjacent to the title of a profession
11regulated by the Department, to eligible retirees. The use of
12the title "Retired" shall not constitute representation of
13current licensure, registration, or certification. Any person
14without an active license, registration, or certificate in a
15profession that requires licensure, registration, or
16certification shall not be permitted to practice that
17profession.
18    (i) Within 180 days after December 23, 2009 (the effective
19date of Public Act 96-852), the Department shall promulgate
20rules which permit a person with a criminal record, who seeks a
21license or certificate in an occupation for which a criminal
22record is not expressly a per se bar, to apply to the
23Department for a non-binding, advisory opinion to be provided
24by the Board or body with the authority to issue the license or
25certificate as to whether his or her criminal record would bar
26the individual from the licensure or certification sought,

 

 

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1should the individual meet all other licensure requirements
2including, but not limited to, the successful completion of the
3relevant examinations.
4(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 96-459, eff. 8-14-09;
596-852, eff. 12-23-09; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)
 
6    Section 505. The State Finance Act is amended by adding
7Section 5.809 as follows:
 
8    (30 ILCS 105/5.809 new)
9    Sec. 5.809. The Private Business and Vocational Schools
10Quality Assurance Fund.
 
11    Section 510. The Riverboat Gambling Act is amended by
12changing Section 9 as follows:
 
13    (230 ILCS 10/9)  (from Ch. 120, par. 2409)
14    Sec. 9. Occupational licenses.
15    (a) The Board may issue an occupational license to an
16applicant upon the payment of a non-refundable fee set by the
17Board, upon a determination by the Board that the applicant is
18eligible for an occupational license and upon payment of an
19annual license fee in an amount to be established. To be
20eligible for an occupational license, an applicant must:
21        (1) be at least 21 years of age if the applicant will
22    perform any function involved in gaming by patrons. Any

 

 

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1    applicant seeking an occupational license for a non-gaming
2    function shall be at least 18 years of age;
3        (2) not have been convicted of a felony offense, a
4    violation of Article 28 of the Criminal Code of 1961, or a
5    similar statute of any other jurisdiction;
6        (2.5) not have been convicted of a crime, other than a
7    crime described in item (2) of this subsection (a),
8    involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, except that the
9    Board may, in its discretion, issue an occupational license
10    to a person who has been convicted of a crime described in
11    this item (2.5) more than 10 years prior to his or her
12    application and has not subsequently been convicted of any
13    other crime;
14        (3) have demonstrated a level of skill or knowledge
15    which the Board determines to be necessary in order to
16    operate gambling aboard a riverboat; and
17        (4) have met standards for the holding of an
18    occupational license as adopted by rules of the Board. Such
19    rules shall provide that any person or entity seeking an
20    occupational license to manage gambling operations
21    hereunder shall be subject to background inquiries and
22    further requirements similar to those required of
23    applicants for an owners license. Furthermore, such rules
24    shall provide that each such entity shall be permitted to
25    manage gambling operations for only one licensed owner.
26    (b) Each application for an occupational license shall be

 

 

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1on forms prescribed by the Board and shall contain all
2information required by the Board. The applicant shall set
3forth in the application: whether he has been issued prior
4gambling related licenses; whether he has been licensed in any
5other state under any other name, and, if so, such name and his
6age; and whether or not a permit or license issued to him in
7any other state has been suspended, restricted or revoked, and,
8if so, for what period of time.
9    (c) Each applicant shall submit with his application, on
10forms provided by the Board, 2 sets of his fingerprints. The
11Board shall charge each applicant a fee set by the Department
12of State Police to defray the costs associated with the search
13and classification of fingerprints obtained by the Board with
14respect to the applicant's application. These fees shall be
15paid into the State Police Services Fund.
16    (d) The Board may in its discretion refuse an occupational
17license to any person: (1) who is unqualified to perform the
18duties required of such applicant; (2) who fails to disclose or
19states falsely any information called for in the application;
20(3) who has been found guilty of a violation of this Act or
21whose prior gambling related license or application therefor
22has been suspended, restricted, revoked or denied for just
23cause in any other state; or (4) for any other just cause.
24    (e) The Board may suspend, revoke or restrict any
25occupational licensee: (1) for violation of any provision of
26this Act; (2) for violation of any of the rules and regulations

 

 

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1of the Board; (3) for any cause which, if known to the Board,
2would have disqualified the applicant from receiving such
3license; or (4) for default in the payment of any obligation or
4debt due to the State of Illinois; or (5) for any other just
5cause.
6    (f) A person who knowingly makes a false statement on an
7application is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
8    (g) Any license issued pursuant to this Section shall be
9valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance.
10    (h) Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to prohibit a
11licensed owner from entering into an agreement with a public
12community college or a school approved under the Private
13Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012 for the training of
14any occupational licensee. Any training offered by such a
15school shall be in accordance with a written agreement between
16the licensed owner and the school.
17    (i) Any training provided for occupational licensees may be
18conducted either on the riverboat or at a school with which a
19licensed owner has entered into an agreement pursuant to
20subsection (h).
21(Source: P.A. 96-1392, eff. 1-1-11.)
 
22    Section 515. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by
23changing Section 11-2.1 as follows:
 
24    (305 ILCS 5/11-2.1)  (from Ch. 23, par. 11-2.1)

 

 

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1    Sec. 11-2.1. No private business and vocational school, as
2defined in the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of
32012, may solicit an applicant or recipient within a public aid
4office or within 100 feet of a public aid office, for the
5purpose of enrolling the applicant or recipient in a work or
6training program, without the express written consent of the
7Illinois Department. Any person violating this Section shall be
8guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. "Public aid office" for the
9purpose of this Section includes any business office of the
10Department where a person may apply for or receive benefits or
11services under this Code, the building in which such office is
12located, and any parking area connected to such office that is
13owned or leased by the State for the benefit of the Department
14for use by personnel of the Department or by applicants or
15recipients.
16(Source: P.A. 85-1383.)
 
17    Section 520. The Children's Privacy Protection and
18Parental Empowerment Act is amended by changing Section 15 as
19follows:
 
20    (325 ILCS 17/15)
21    Sec. 15. Information brokers.
22    (a) For the purpose of this Act, the consent of a parent to
23the sale or purchase of information concerning a child is
24presumed unless the parent withdraws consent under this

 

 

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1Section.
2    A person who brokers or facilitates the sale of personal
3information concerning children must, upon written request
4from a parent that specifically identifies the child, provide
5to the parent within 20 days of the written request procedures
6that the parent must follow in order to withdraw consent to use
7personal information relating to that child. The person who
8brokers or facilitates the sale of personal information must
9discontinue disclosing a child's personal information within
1020 days after the parent has completed the procedures to
11withdraw consent to use personal information relating to that
12child.
13    (b) This Section does not apply to any of the following:
14        (1) Any federal, state, or local government agency or
15    any law enforcement agency.
16        (2) The National Center for Missing and Exploited
17    Children.
18        (3) Any educational institution, consortium,
19    organization, or professional association, including but
20    not limited to, public community colleges, public
21    universities, post-secondary educational institutions as
22    defined in the Private College Act, and private business
23    and vocational schools as defined in the Private Business
24    and Vocational Schools Act of 2012.
25        (4) Any not-for-profit entity that is exempt from the
26    payment of federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the

 

 

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1    Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
2(Source: P.A. 93-462, eff. 1-1-04.)
 
3    Section 525. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business
4Practices Act is amended by adding Section 2MMM as follows:
 
5    (815 ILCS 505/2MMM new)
6    Sec. 2MMM. Violations of the Private Business and
7Vocational Schools Act of 2012. A school subject to the Private
8Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012 commits an unlawful
9practice within the meaning of this Act when it violates
10subsection (k) of Section 85 of the Private Business and
11Vocational Schools Act of 2012.
 
12    (105 ILCS 425/Act rep.)
13    Section 900. The Private Business and Vocational Schools
14Act is repealed.
 
15    Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect February
161, 2012.