Section 176.980  Revocation, Suspension, and Reprimand

For purposes of this Section, "notary public" includes an electronic notary public and remote notary public.

a)         Revocation. A notary public’s commission may be revoked for any of the foregoing acts or omissions:

1)         The notary public demonstrates the notary public lacks the honesty, integrity, competence, or reliability to act as a notary public; or

2)         The notary public fails to maintain a residence or place of employment in Illinois.

b)         Suspension. A notary public’s commission may be suspended for any actions contrary to the Act, other laws of the State of Illinois, and this Part.

c)         Other Remedial Actions.  The Secretary of State may deliver a written official warning to cease misconduct, misfeasance, or malfeasance to any notary public whose actions are determined to violate this Part, the Act, or other laws of the State of Illinois.

d)         Before suspending or revoking a notary public's commission, the Secretary of State must inform the notary public of the basis for the suspension or revocation and that the suspension or revocation takes effect on a particular date unless a request for an administrative hearing is filed with the Secretary of State under 5 ILCS 312/7-108(j) and Section 176.990 before that date.

e)         Resignation or expiration of a notary public’s commission does not terminate or preclude an inquiry into the notary’s conduct by the Secretary of State. Whether the finding would have been grounds for revocation will be made a matter of public record.

(Source:  Added at 47 Ill. Reg. 8640, effective June 5, 2023)