(225 ILCS 41/15-15) (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028) Sec. 15-15. Complaints; investigations; hearings. The Department may investigate the actions of any applicant or of any person or persons rendering or offering to render services or any person holding or claiming to hold a license under this Code. The Department shall, before refusing to issue or renew a license or seeking to discipline a licensee under Section 15-75, at least 30 days before the date set for the hearing, (i) notify the accused in writing of the charges made and the time and place for the hearing on the charges, (ii) direct him or her to file a written answer to the charges under oath within 20 days after service, and (iii) inform the applicant or licensee that failure to answer shall result in a default being entered against the applicant or licensee. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Board or the hearing officer appointed by the Secretary shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present any pertinent statements, testimony, evidence, and arguments. The Board or hearing officer may continue the hearing from time to time. In case the person, after receiving the notice, fails to file an answer, his or her license may, in the discretion of the Secretary be suspended, revoked, or placed on probationary status, or be subject to whatever disciplinary action the Secretary considers proper, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of the person's practice or the imposition of a fine, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for that action under this Code. The written notice and any notice in the subsequent proceeding may be served by regular mail or email to the licensee's address of record. (Source: P.A. 102-881, eff. 1-1-23.) |