815 ILCS 5/11

(815 ILCS 5/11) (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 137.11)

Sec. 11. Duties and powers of the Secretary of State.

A. (1) The administration of this Act is vested in the Secretary of State, who may from time to time make, amend and rescind such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out this Act, including rules and regulations governing procedures of registration, statements, applications and reports for various classes of securities, persons and matters within his or her jurisdiction and defining any terms, whether or not used in this Act, insofar as the definitions are not inconsistent with this Act. The rules and regulations adopted by the Secretary of State under this Act shall be effective in the manner provided for in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(2) Among other things, the Secretary of State shall have authority, for the purposes of this Act, to prescribe the form or forms in which required information shall be set forth, accounting practices, the items or details to be shown in balance sheets and earning statements, and the methods to be followed in the preparation of accounts, in the appraisal or valuation of assets and liabilities, in the determination of depreciation and depletion, in the differentiation of recurring and non-recurring income, in the differentiation of investment and operating income, and in the preparation of consolidated balance sheets or income accounts of any person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by the issuer, or any person under direct or indirect common control with the issuer.

(3) No provision of this Act imposing any liability shall apply to any act done or omitted in good faith in conformity with any rule or regulation of the Secretary of State under this Act, notwithstanding that the rule or regulation may, after the act or omission, be amended or rescinded or be determined by judicial or other authority to be invalid for any reason.

(4) The Securities Department of the Office of the Secretary of State shall be deemed a criminal justice agency for purposes of all federal and state laws and regulations and, in that capacity, shall be entitled to access to any information available to criminal justice agencies and has the power to appoint special agents to conduct all investigations, searches, seizures, arrests, and other duties imposed under the provisions of any law administered by the Department. The special agents have and may exercise all the powers of peace officers solely for the purpose of enforcing provisions of this Act.

The Director must authorize to each special agent employed under this Section a distinct badge that, on its face, (i) clearly states that the badge is authorized by the Department and (ii) contains a unique and identifying number.

Special agents shall comply with all training requirements established for law enforcement officers by provisions of the Illinois Police Training Act.

(5) The Secretary of State, by rule, may conditionally or unconditionally exempt any person, security, or transaction, or any class or classes of persons, securities, or transactions from any provision of Section 5, 6, 7, 8, 8a, or 9 of this Act or of any rule promulgated under these Sections, to the extent that such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors.

B. The Secretary of State may, anything in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding, require financial statements and reports of the issuer, dealer, Internet portal, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative as often as circumstances may warrant. In addition, the Secretary of State may secure information or books and records from or through others and may make or cause to be made investigations respecting the business, affairs, and property of the issuer of securities, any person involved in the sale or offer for sale, purchase or offer to purchase of any mineral investment contract, mineral deferred delivery contract, or security and of dealers, Internet portals, salespersons, investment advisers, and investment adviser representatives that are registered or are the subject of an application for registration under this Act. The costs of an investigation shall be borne by the registrant or the applicant, provided that the registrant or applicant shall not be obligated to pay the costs without his, her or its consent in advance.

C. Whenever it shall appear to the Secretary of State, either upon complaint or otherwise, that this Act, or any rule or regulation prescribed under authority thereof, has been or is about to be violated, he or she may, in his or her discretion, do one or more of the following:

(1) require or permit the person to file with the Secretary of State a statement in writing under oath, or otherwise, as to all the facts and circumstances concerning the subject matter which the Secretary of State believes to be in the public interest to investigate, audit, examine, or inspect;

(2) conduct an investigation, audit, examination, or inspection as necessary or advisable for the protection of the interests of the public; and

(3) appoint investigators to conduct all investigations, searches, seizures, arrests, and other duties imposed under the provisions of any law administered by the Department. The Director must authorize to each investigator employed under this Section a distinct badge that, on its face, (i) clearly states that the badge is authorized by the Department and (ii) contains a unique and identifying number.

D. (1) For the purpose of all investigations, audits, examinations, or inspections which in the opinion of the Secretary of State are necessary and proper for the enforcement of this Act, the Secretary of State or a person designated by him or her is empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, take evidence, and require, by subpoena or other lawful means provided by this Act or the rules adopted by the Secretary of State, the production of any books and records, papers, or other documents which the Secretary of State or a person designated by him or her deems relevant or material to the inquiry.

(2) The Secretary of State or a person designated by him or her is further empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, take evidence, and require the production of any books and records, papers, or other documents in this State at the request of a securities agency of another state, if the activities constituting the alleged violation for which the information is sought would be in violation of Section 12 of this Act if the activities had occurred in this State.

(3) The Circuit Court of any County of this State, upon application of the Secretary of State or a person designated by him or her may order the attendance of witnesses, the production of books and records, papers, accounts and documents and the giving of testimony before the Secretary of State or a person designated by him or her; and any failure to obey the order may be punished by the Circuit Court as a contempt thereof.

(4) The fees of subpoenaed witnesses under this Act for attendance and travel shall be the same as fees of witnesses before the Circuit Courts of this State, to be paid when the witness is excused from further attendance, provided, the witness is subpoenaed at the instance of the Secretary of State; and payment of the fees shall be made and audited in the same manner as other expenses of the Secretary of State.

(5) Whenever a subpoena is issued at the request of a complainant or respondent as the case may be, the Secretary of State may require that the cost of service and the fee of the witness shall be borne by the party at whose instance the witness is summoned.

(6) The Secretary of State shall have power at his or her discretion, to require a deposit to cover the cost of the service and witness fees and the payment of the legal witness fee and mileage to the witness served with subpoena.

(7) A subpoena issued under this Act shall be served in the same manner as a subpoena issued out of a circuit court.

(8) The Secretary of State may in any investigation, audits, examinations, or inspections cause the taking of depositions of persons residing within or without this State in the manner provided in civil actions under the laws of this State.

E. Anything in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding:

(1) If the Secretary of State shall find that the offer or sale or proposed offer or sale or method of offer or sale of any securities by any person, whether exempt or not, in this State, is fraudulent, or would work or tend to work a fraud or deceit, or is being offered or sold in violation of Section 12, or there has been a failure or refusal to submit any notification filing or fee required under this Act, the Secretary of State may by written order prohibit or suspend the offer or sale of securities by that person or deny or revoke the registration of the securities or the exemption from registration for the securities.

(2) If the Secretary of State shall find that any person has violated subsection C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, or K of Section 12 of this Act, the Secretary of State may by written order temporarily or permanently prohibit or suspend the person from offering or selling any securities, any mineral investment contract, or any mineral deferred delivery contract in this State, provided that any person who is the subject of an order of permanent prohibition may petition the Secretary of State for a hearing to present evidence of rehabilitation or change in circumstances justifying the amendment or termination of the order of permanent prohibition.

(3) If the Secretary of State shall find that any person is engaging or has engaged in the business of selling or offering for sale securities as a dealer, Internet portal, or salesperson or is acting or has acted as an investment adviser, investment adviser representative, or federal covered investment adviser, without prior thereto and at the time thereof having complied with the registration or notice filing requirements of this Act, the Secretary of State may by written order prohibit or suspend the person from engaging in the business of selling or offering for sale securities, or acting as an investment adviser, investment adviser representative, or federal covered investment adviser, in this State.

(4) In addition to any other sanction or remedy contained in this subsection E, the Secretary of State, after finding that any provision of this Act has been violated, may impose a fine as provided by rule, regulation or order not to exceed $10,000 for each violation of this Act, may issue an order of public censure against the violator, and may charge as costs of investigation all reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees and witness fees.

F. (1) The Secretary of State shall not deny, suspend or revoke the registration of securities, suspend or revoke the registration of a dealer, Internet portal, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative, prohibit or suspend the offer or sale of any securities, prohibit or suspend any person from offering or selling any securities in this State, prohibit or suspend a dealer or salesperson from engaging in the business of selling or offering for sale securities, prohibit or suspend a person from acting as an investment adviser or federal covered investment adviser, or investment adviser representative, impose any fine for violation of this Act, issue an order of public censure, or enter into an agreed settlement except after an opportunity for hearing upon not less than 10 days notice given by personal service or registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person or persons concerned. Such notice shall state the date and time and place of the hearing and shall contain a brief statement of the proposed action of the Secretary of State and the grounds for the proposed action. A failure to appear at the hearing or otherwise respond to the allegations set forth in the notice of hearing shall constitute an admission of any facts alleged therein and shall constitute sufficient basis to enter an order.

(2) Anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Secretary of State may temporarily prohibit or suspend, for a maximum period of 90 days, by an order effective immediately, the offer or sale or registration of securities, the registration of a dealer, Internet portal, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative, or the offer or sale of securities by any person, or the business of rendering investment advice, without the notice and prior hearing in this subsection prescribed, if the Secretary of State shall in his or her opinion, based on credible evidence, deem it necessary to prevent an imminent violation of this Act or to prevent losses to investors which the Secretary of State reasonably believes will occur as a result of a prior violation of this Act. Immediately after taking action without such notice and hearing, the Secretary of State shall deliver a copy of the temporary order to the respondent named therein by personal service or registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested. The temporary order shall set forth the grounds for the action and shall advise that the respondent may request a hearing, that the request for a hearing will not stop the effectiveness of the temporary order and that respondent's failure to request a hearing within 30 days after the date of the entry of the temporary order shall constitute an admission of any facts alleged therein and shall constitute sufficient basis to make the temporary order final. Any provision of this paragraph (2) to the contrary notwithstanding, the Secretary of State may not pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (2) suspend the registration of a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative based upon sub-paragraph (n) of paragraph (l) of subsection E of Section 8 of this Act or revoke the registration of securities or revoke the registration of any dealer, salesperson, investment adviser representative, or investment adviser.

(3) The Secretary of State may issue a temporary order suspending or delaying the effectiveness of any registration of securities under subsection A or B of Section 5, 6 or 7 of this Act subsequent to and upon the basis of the issuance of any stop, suspension or similar order by the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the securities which are the subject of the registration under subsection A or B of Section 5, 6 or 7 of this Act, and the order shall become effective as of the date and time of effectiveness of the Securities and Exchange Commission order and shall be vacated automatically at such time as the order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is no longer in effect.

(4) When the Secretary of State finds that an application for registration as a dealer, Internet portal, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative should be denied, the Secretary of State may enter an order denying the registration. Immediately after taking such action, the Secretary of State shall deliver a copy of the order to the respondent named therein by personal service or registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested. The order shall state the grounds for the action and that the matter will be set for hearing upon written request filed with the Secretary of State within 30 days after the receipt of the request by the respondent. The respondent's failure to request a hearing within 30 days after receipt of the order shall constitute an admission of any facts alleged therein and shall make the order final. If a hearing is held, the Secretary of State shall affirm, vacate, or modify the order.

(5) The findings and decision of the Secretary of State upon the conclusion of each final hearing held pursuant to this subsection shall be set forth in a written order signed on behalf of the Secretary of State by his or her designee and shall be filed as a public record. All hearings shall be held before a person designated by the Secretary of State, and appropriate records thereof shall be kept.

(6) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Secretary of State, after notice and opportunity for hearing, may at his or her discretion enter into an agreed settlement, stipulation or consent order with a respondent in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The provisions of the agreed settlement, stipulation or consent order shall have the full force and effect of an order issued by the Secretary of State.

(7) Anything in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding, whenever the Secretary of State finds that a person is currently expelled from, refused membership in or association with, or limited in any material capacity by a self-regulatory organization registered under the Federal 1934 Act or the Federal 1974 Act because of a fraudulent or deceptive act or a practice in violation of a rule, regulation, or standard duly promulgated by the self-regulatory organization, the Secretary of State may, at his or her discretion, enter a Summary Order of Prohibition, which shall prohibit the offer or sale of any securities, mineral investment contract, or mineral deferred delivery contract by the person in this State. The order shall take effect immediately upon its entry. Immediately after taking the action the Secretary of State shall deliver a copy of the order to the named Respondent by personal service or registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested. A person who is the subject of an Order of Prohibition may petition the Secretary of State for a hearing to present evidence of rehabilitation or change in circumstances justifying the amendment or termination of the Order of Prohibition.

G. No administrative action shall be brought by the Secretary of State for relief under this Act or upon or because of any of the matters for which relief is granted by this Act after the earlier to occur of (i) 3 years from the date upon which the Secretary of State had notice of facts which in the exercise of reasonable diligence would lead to actual knowledge of the alleged violation of the Act, or (ii) 5 years from the date on which the alleged violation occurred.

H. The action of the Secretary of State in denying, suspending, or revoking the registration of a dealer, Internet portal, limited Canadian dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative, in prohibiting any person from engaging in the business of offering or selling securities as a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, or salesperson, in prohibiting or suspending the offer or sale of securities by any person, in prohibiting a person from acting as an investment adviser, federal covered investment adviser, or investment adviser representative, in denying, suspending, or revoking the registration of securities, in prohibiting or suspending the offer or sale or proposed offer or sale of securities, in imposing any fine for violation of this Act, or in issuing any order shall be subject to judicial review in the Circuit Courts of Cook or Sangamon Counties in this State. The Administrative Review Law shall apply to and govern every action for the judicial review of final actions or decisions of the Secretary of State under this Act.

I. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act to the contrary, whenever it shall appear to the Secretary of State that any person is engaged or about to engage in any acts or practices which constitute or will constitute a violation of this Act or of any rule or regulation prescribed under authority of this Act, the Secretary of State may at his or her discretion, through the Attorney General take any of the following actions:

(1) File a complaint and apply for a temporary restraining order without notice, and upon a proper showing the court may enter a temporary restraining order without bond, to enforce this Act.

(2) File a complaint and apply for a preliminary or permanent injunction, and, after notice and a hearing and upon a proper showing, the court may grant a preliminary or permanent injunction and may order the defendant to make an offer of rescission with respect to any sales or purchases of securities, mineral investment contracts, or mineral deferred delivery contracts determined by the court to be unlawful under this Act.

(3) Seek the seizure of assets when probable cause exists that the assets were obtained by a defendant through conduct in violation of Section 12, paragraph F, G, I, J, K, or L of this Act, and thereby subject to a judicial forfeiture hearing as required under this Act.

(a) In the event that such probable cause exists that the subject of an investigation who is alleged to have committed one of the relevant violations of this Act has in his possession assets obtained as a result of the conduct giving rise to the violation, the Secretary of State may seek a seizure warrant in any circuit court in Illinois.

(b) In seeking a seizure warrant, the Secretary of State, or his or her designee, shall submit to the court a sworn affidavit detailing the probable cause evidence for the seizure, the location of the assets to be seized, the relevant violation under Section 12 of this Act, and a statement detailing any known owners or interest holders in the assets.

(c) Seizure of the assets shall be made by any peace officer upon process of the seizure warrant issued by the court. Following the seizure of assets under this Act and pursuant to a seizure warrant, notice of seizure, including a description of the seized assets, shall immediately be returned to the issuing court. Seized assets shall be maintained pending a judicial forfeiture hearing in accordance with the instructions of the court.

(d) In the event that management of seized assets becomes necessary to prevent the devaluation, dissipation, or otherwise to preserve the property, the court shall have jurisdiction to appoint a receiver, conservator, ancillary receiver, or ancillary conservator for that purpose, as provided in item (2) of this subsection.

(4) Seek the forfeiture of assets obtained through conduct in violation of Section 12, paragraph F, G, H, I, J, K, or L when authorized by law. A forfeiture must be ordered by a circuit court or an action brought by the Secretary of State as provided for in this Act, under a verified complaint for forfeiture.

(a) In the event assets have been seized pursuant to this Act, forfeiture proceedings shall be instituted by the Attorney General within 45 days of seizure.

(b) Service of the complaint filed under the provisions of this Act shall be made in the manner as provided in civil actions in this State.

(c) Only an owner of or interest holder in the property may file an answer asserting a claim against the property. For purposes of this Section, the owner or interest holder shall be referred to as claimant.

(d) The answer must be signed by the owner or interest holder under penalty of perjury and must set forth:

(i) the caption of the proceedings as set forth on the notice of pending forfeiture and the name of the claimant;

(ii) the address at which the claimant will accept mail;

(iii) the nature and extent of the claimant's interest in the property;

(iv) the date, identity of the transferor, and circumstances of the claimant's acquisition of the interest in the property;

(v) the names and addresses of all other persons known to have an interest in the property;

(vi) the specific provisions of this Act relied on in asserting that the property is not subject to forfeiture;

(vii) all essential facts supporting each assertion; and

(viii) the precise relief sought.

(e) The answer must be filed with the court within 45 days after service of the complaint.

(f) A property interest is exempt from forfeiture under this Act if its owner or interest holder establishes by a preponderance of evidence that the owner or interest holder:

(i) is not legally accountable for the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture, did not acquiesce in it, and did not know and could not reasonably have known of the conduct or that the conduct was likely to occur;

(ii) with respect to conveyances, did not hold the property jointly or in common with a person whose conduct gave rise to the forfeiture;

(iii) does not hold the property for the benefit of or as a nominee for any person whose conduct gave rise to its forfeiture and the owner or interest holder acquires it as a bona fide purchaser for value without knowingly taking part in the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture; or

(iv) acquired the interest after the commencement of the conduct giving rise to its forfeiture and the owner or interest holder acquired the interest as a mortgagee, secured creditor, lienholder, or bona fide purchaser for value without knowledge of the conduct that gave rise to the forfeiture.

(g) The hearing must be held within 60 days after the answer is filed unless continued for good cause.

(h) During the probable cause portion of the judicial in rem proceeding wherein the Secretary of State presents its case-in-chief, the court must receive and consider, among other things, any relevant hearsay evidence and information. The laws of evidence relating to civil actions shall apply to all other portions of the judicial in rem proceeding.

(i) The Secretary of State shall show the existence of probable cause for forfeiture of the property. If the Secretary of State shows probable cause, the claimant has the burden of showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the claimant's interest in the property is not subject to forfeiture.

(j) If the Secretary of State does not show the existence of probable cause or a claimant has an interest that is exempt under subdivision I (4)(d) of this Section, the court shall order the interest in the property returned or conveyed to the claimant and shall order all other property forfeited to the Secretary of State pursuant to all provisions of this Act. If the Secretary of State does show the existence of probable cause and the claimant does not establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the claimant has an interest that is exempt under subsection D herein, the court shall order all the property forfeited to the Secretary of State pursuant to the provisions of the Section.

(k) A defendant convicted in any criminal proceeding is precluded from later denying the essential allegations of the criminal offense of which the defendant was convicted in any proceeding for violations of the Act giving rise to forfeiture of property herein regardless of the pendency of an appeal from that conviction. However, evidence of the pendency of an appeal is admissible.

(l) An acquittal or dismissal in a criminal proceeding for violations of the Act giving rise to the forfeiture of property herein shall not preclude civil proceedings under this provision; however, for good cause shown, on a motion by the Secretary of State, the court may stay civil forfeiture proceedings during the criminal trial for a related criminal indictment or information alleging violation of the provisions of Section 12 of the Illinois Securities Law of 1953. Property subject to forfeiture under this Section shall not be subject to return or release by a court exercising jurisdiction over a criminal case involving the seizure of the property unless the return or release is consented to by the Secretary of State.

(m) All property declared forfeited under this Act vests in the State on the commission of the conduct giving rise to forfeiture together with the proceeds of the property after that time. Any such property or proceeds subsequently transferred to any person remain subject to forfeiture and thereafter shall be ordered forfeited unless the transferee claims and establishes in a hearing under the provisions of this Act that the transferee's interest is exempt under the Act. Any assets forfeited to the State shall be disposed of in following manner:

(i) all forfeited property and assets shall be liquidated by the Secretary of State in accordance with all laws and rules governing the disposition of such property;

(ii) the Secretary of State shall provide the court at the time the property and assets are declared forfeited a verified statement of investors subject to the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture;

(iii) after payment of any costs of sale, receivership, storage, or expenses for preservation of the property seized, other costs to the State, and payment to claimants for any amount deemed exempt from forfeiture, the proceeds from liquidation shall be distributed pro rata to investors subject to the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture; and

(iv) any proceeds remaining after all verified investors have been made whole shall be distributed 25% to the Securities Investors Education Fund, 25% to the Securities Audit and Enforcement Fund, 25% to the Attorney General or any State's Attorney bringing criminal charges for the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture, and 25% to other law enforcement agencies participating in the investigation of the criminal charges for the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture. In the event that no other law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation of the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture, then the portion to other law enforcement agencies shall be distributed to the Securities Investors Education Fund.

(n) The Secretary of State shall notify by certified mail, return receipt requested, all known investors in the matter giving rise to the forfeiture of the forfeiture proceeding and sale of assets forfeited arising from the violations of this Act, and shall further publish notice in a paper of general circulation in the district in which the violations were prosecuted. The notice to investors shall identify the name, address, and other identifying information about any defendant prosecuted for violations of this Act that resulted in forfeiture and sale of property, the offense for which the defendant was convicted, and that the court has ordered forfeiture and sale of property for claims of investors who incurred losses or damages as a result of the violations. Investors may then file a claim in a form prescribed by the Secretary of State in order to share in disbursement of the proceeds from sale of the forfeited property. Investor claims must be filed with the Secretary of State within 30 days after receipt of the certified mail return receipt, or within 30 days after the last date of publication of the general notice in a paper of general circulation in the district in which the violations were prosecuted, whichever occurs last.

(o) A civil action under this subsection must be commenced within 5 years after the last conduct giving rise to the forfeiture became known or should have become known or 5 years after the forfeitable property is discovered, whichever is later, excluding time during which either the property or claimant is out of this State or in confinement or during which criminal proceedings relating to the same conduct are in progress.

(p) If property is seized for evidence and for forfeiture, the time periods for instituting judicial forfeiture proceedings shall not begin until the property is no longer necessary for evidence.

(q) Notwithstanding other provisions of this Act, the Secretary of State and a claimant of forfeitable property may enter into an agreed-upon settlement concerning the forfeitable property in such an amount and upon such terms as are set out in writing in a settlement agreement.

(r) Nothing in this Act shall apply to property that constitutes reasonable bona fide attorney's fees paid to an attorney for services rendered or to be rendered in the forfeiture proceeding or criminal proceeding relating directly thereto when the property was paid before its seizure and before the issuance of any seizure warrant or court order prohibiting transfer of the property and when the attorney, at the time he or she received the property, did not know that it was property subject to forfeiture under this Act.

The court shall further have jurisdiction and authority, in addition to the penalties and other remedies in this Act provided, to enter an order for the appointment of the court or a person as a receiver, conservator, ancillary receiver or ancillary conservator for the defendant or the defendant's assets located in this State, or to require restitution, damages or disgorgement of profits on behalf of the person or persons injured by the act or practice constituting the subject matter of the action, and may assess costs against the defendant for the use of the State; provided, however, that the civil remedies of rescission and appointment of a receiver, conservator, ancillary receiver or ancillary conservator shall not be available against any person by reason of the failure to file with the Secretary of State, or on account of the contents of, any report of sale provided for in subsection G or P of Section 4, paragraph (2) of subsection D of Sections 5 and 6, or paragraph (2) of subsection F of Section 7 of this Act. Appeals may be taken as in other civil cases.

I-5. Property forfeited under this Section is subject to reporting under the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act.

J. In no case shall the Secretary of State, or any of his or her employees or agents, in the administration of this Act, incur any official or personal liability by instituting an injunction or other proceeding or by denying, suspending or revoking the registration of a dealer or salesperson, or by denying, suspending or revoking the registration of securities or prohibiting the offer or sale of securities, or by suspending or prohibiting any person from acting as a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative or from offering or selling securities.

K. No provision of this Act shall be construed to require or to authorize the Secretary of State to require any investment adviser or federal covered investment adviser engaged in rendering investment supervisory services to disclose the identity, investments, or affairs of any client of the investment adviser or federal covered investment adviser, except insofar as the disclosure may be necessary or appropriate in a particular proceeding or investigation having as its object the enforcement of this Act.

L. Whenever, after an examination, investigation or hearing, the Secretary of State deems it of public interest or advantage, he or she may certify a record to the State's Attorney of the county in which the act complained of, examined or investigated occurred. The State's Attorney of that county within 90 days after receipt of the record shall file a written statement at the Office of the Secretary of State, which statement shall set forth the action taken upon the record, or if no action has been taken upon the record that fact, together with the reasons therefor, shall be stated.

M. The Secretary of State may initiate, take, pursue, or prosecute any action authorized or permitted under Section 6d of the Federal 1974 Act.

N. (1) Notwithstanding any provision of this Act to the contrary, to encourage uniform interpretation, administration, and enforcement of the provisions of this Act, the Secretary of State may cooperate with the securities agencies or administrators of one or more states, Canadian provinces or territories, or another country, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, any self-regulatory organization, and any governmental law enforcement or regulatory agency.

(2) The cooperation authorized by paragraph (1) of this subsection includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) establishing or participating in a central depository or depositories for registration under this Act and for documents or records required under this Act;

(b) making a joint audit, inspection, examination, or investigation;

(c) holding a joint administrative hearing;

(d) filing and prosecuting a joint civil or criminal proceeding;

(e) sharing and exchanging personnel;

(f) sharing and exchanging information and documents; or

(g) issuing any joint statement or policy.

(Source: P.A. 99-182, eff. 1-1-16; 100-512, eff. 7-1-18; 100-699, eff. 8-3-18.)