(225 ILCS 441/15-5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

Sec. 15-5. Unlicensed practice; civil penalty.

(a) Any person who practices, offers to practice, attempts to practice, or holds oneself out to practice home inspection or as a home inspector without being licensed under this Act shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, pay a civil penalty to the Department in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for each violation of this Act as determined by the Department. The civil penalty shall be assessed by the Department after a hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(b) The Department has the authority and power to investigate any unlicensed activity.

(c) A civil penalty shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the civil penalty. The Department may petition the circuit court for a judgment to enforce the collection of the penalty. Prior to July 1, 2023, any civil penalties collected under this Act shall be made payable to the Department and deposited into the Home Inspector Administration Fund. Beginning on July 1, 2023, any civil penalties collected under this Act shall be made payable to the Department and deposited into the Division of Real Estate General Fund.

(Source: P.A. 102-970, eff. 5-27-22.)