HB4426 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 35695 AWJ 65771 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4426

Introduced 1/16/2024, by Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Provides that the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984 is repealed on January 1, 2030 (rather than January 1, 2025). Amends the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984. Provides that all applicants and registrants shall: (1) provide a valid address and email address to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which shall serve as the address of record and email address of record, respectively, at the time of application for registration or renewal of a registration; and (2) inform the Department of any change of address of record or email address of record within 14 days after such change either through the Department's website or by contacting the Department's licensure maintenance unit. Provides that every application for an original licensee under the Act shall include the applicant's Social Security Number or individual taxpayer identification number. Provides that the report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of the Certified Shorthand Reporters Board shall be the basis for the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation's (rather than the Department's) action regarding a certificate. Provides that within 20 days after service of a notice of report of refusal to issue or renew, the respondent may present to the Secretary (rather than to the Department) a motion in writing for a rehearing. Removes a provision providing that exhibits shall be certified without cost. Repeals a provision concerning a roster. Makes corresponding and other changes. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by changing Sections 4.35 and 4.40 as follows:

(5 ILCS 80/4.35)

Sec. 4.35. Acts repealed on January 1, 2025. The following Acts are repealed on January 1, 2025:

The Genetic Counselor Licensing Act.

The Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984.

(Source: P.A. 103-563, eff. 11-17-23.)

(5 ILCS 80/4.40)

Sec. 4.40. Acts repealed on January 1, 2030. The following Acts are repealed on January 1, 2030:

The Auction License Act.

The Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989.

The Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984.

The Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act of 1989.

The Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics Practice Act.

The Perfusionist Practice Act.

The Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989.

The Real Estate License Act of 2000.

The Structural Engineering Practice Act of 1989.

(Source: P.A. 101-269, eff. 8-9-19; 101-310, eff. 8-9-19; 101-311, eff. 8-9-19; 101-312, eff. 8-9-19; 101-313, eff. 8-9-19; 101-345, eff. 8-9-19; 101-346, eff. 8-9-19; 101-357, eff. 8-9-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

Section 10. The Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984 is amended by changing Sections 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12.1, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 23, 23.1, 23.2, 23.4, 23.6, 23.7, 23.9, 23.15, 24, 26, and 26.1 and by adding Section 4.1 as follows:

(225 ILCS 415/4) (from Ch. 111, par. 6204)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 4. In this Act:

(1) "Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

(2) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.

(3) "Board" means the Certified Shorthand Reporters Board appointed by the Secretary.

(4) "The practice of shorthand reporting" means reporting, by the use of any system of manual or mechanical shorthand writing, of Grand Jury proceedings, court proceedings, court related proceedings, pretrial examinations, depositions, motions and related proceedings of like character, or proceedings of an administrative agency when the final decision of the agency with reference thereto is likely to be subject to judicial review under the provisions of the Administrative Review Law.

(5) "Shorthand reporter" means a person who is technically qualified and certified under this Act to practice shorthand reporting.

(6) "Stenographic notes" means the original notes by manual or mechanical shorthand or shorthand writing taken by a shorthand reporter of a proceeding while in attendance at such proceeding for the purpose of reporting the same.

(7) "Address of record" means the designated address recorded by the Department in the applicant's or licensee's application file or license file as maintained by the Department's licensure maintenance unit. It is the duty of the applicant or licensee to inform the Department of any change of address and those changes must be made either through the Department's Internet website or by contacting the Department.

(8) "Email address of record" means the designated email address recorded by the Department in the applicant's application file or the licensee's license file, as maintained by the Department's licensure maintenance unit.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/4.1 new)

Sec. 4.1. Address of record; email address of record. All applicants and registrants shall:

(1) provide a valid address and email address to the Department, which shall serve as the address of record and email address of record, respectively, at the time of application for licensure or renewal of a license; and

(2) inform the Department of any change of address of record or email address of record within 14 days after such change either through the Department's website or by contacting the Department's licensure maintenance unit.

(225 ILCS 415/5) (from Ch. 111, par. 6205)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 5. Title. Every person to whom a valid existing certificate as a certified shorthand reporter has been issued under this Act shall be designated as a Certified Shorthand Reporter and not otherwise, and any such certified shorthand reporter may, in connection with the reporter's his or her practice of shorthand reporting, use the abbreviation "C.S.R." or the title "Court Reporter". No person other than the holder of a valid existing certificate under this Act shall use the title or designation of "Certified Shorthand Reporter", "Court Reporter", or "C.S.R.", either directly or indirectly in connection with that person's his or her profession or business.

(Source: P.A. 90-49, eff. 7-3-97.)

(225 ILCS 415/6) (from Ch. 111, par. 6206)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 6. Restricted certificate. Upon receipt of a written request from the Chief Judge of the reporter's circuit, the Department shall, upon payment of the required fee, issue to any reporter who has been appointed in counties of less than 1,000,000 in population, has been examined under the Court Reporters Act, and has achieved an "A" proficiency rating, a restricted certificate by which such official court reporter may then lawfully engage in reporting only court proceedings to which he may be assigned by the Chief Judge of the reporter's his circuit may assign.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/8) (from Ch. 111, par. 6208)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 8. Certified Shorthand Reporters Board. The Secretary shall appoint a Certified Shorthand Reporters Board as follows: 7 persons who shall be appointed by and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary. Six members must be certified shorthand reporters, in good standing, and actively engaged in the practice of shorthand reporting in this State for 10 ten years, and one member must be a member of the public who is not certified under this Act, or a similar Act of another jurisdiction.

Members shall serve 4 year terms and until the members' their successors are appointed and qualified. No member shall be reappointed to the Board for a term that would cause the member's his continuous service on the Board to be longer than 2 full consecutive terms. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the same manner as original appointments, for the unexpired portion of the vacated term.

In making appointments to the Board, the Secretary shall give consideration to recommendations by national and State organizations of the shorthand reporter profession.

Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. A quorum is required for all Board decisions.

The Secretary may remove or suspend any member of the Board for cause at any time before the expiration of the member's his or her term. The Secretary shall be the sole arbiter of cause.

The Secretary shall consider the recommendations of the Board on questions involving standards of professional conduct, discipline, and qualifications of candidates and certificate holders under this Act.

Members of the Board shall be reimbursed for all legitimate, necessary, and authorized expenses incurred in attending the meetings of the Board.

Members of the Board have no liability in any action based upon any disciplinary proceedings or other activity performed in good faith as members of the Board.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/10) (from Ch. 111, par. 6210)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 10. The Department shall authorize examinations at such time and place as it may designate. The examination shall be of a character to give a fair test of the qualifications of the applicant to practice shorthand reporting.

Applicants for examination as certified shorthand reporters shall be required to pay, either to the Department or the designated testing service, a fee covering the cost of providing the examination. Failure to appear for the examination on the scheduled date, at the time and place specified, after the applicant's application for examination has been received and acknowledged by the Department or the designated testing service, shall result in the forfeiture of the examination fee.

If an applicant neglects, fails, or refuses to take the next available examination offered or fails to pass an examination for certification under this Act, the application shall be denied. If an applicant for examination for certification under this Act fails to pass the examination within 3 years after filing an his application, the application shall be denied. However, such applicant may thereafter make a new application accompanied by the required fee.

The Department may employ consultants for the purpose of preparing and conducting examinations.

An applicant has one year from the date of notification of successful completion of the examination to apply to the Department for a license. If an applicant fails to apply within one year, the applicant shall be required to take and pass the examination again unless licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States within one year of passing the examination.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/12.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 12.1. Social Security Number or federal individual taxpayer identification number on license application. In addition to any other information required to be contained in the application, every application for an original license under this Act shall include the applicant's Social Security Number or federal individual taxpayer identification number, which shall be retained in the Department's records pertaining to the license. As soon as practicable, the Department shall assign a customer's identification number to each applicant for a license. Every application for a renewal or restored license shall require the applicant's customer identification number.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/14) (from Ch. 111, par. 6214)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 14. Expiration, renewal, and military service. The expiration date and renewal period for each certificate issued under this Act shall be set by rule.

Any certified shorthand reporter who has permitted the reporter's his certificate to expire or who has had the reporter's his certificate on inactive status may have the his certificate restored by making application to the Department, filing proof acceptable to the Department of the reporter's his fitness to have the his certificate restored and paying the required restoration fee. The Department may consider a certificate expired less than 5 years as prima facie evidence that the applicant is fit. If a certificate has expired or has been placed on inactive status and the applicant has practiced in another jurisdiction during such period, satisfactory proof of fitness may include sworn evidence certifying to active practice in another jurisdiction.

If the certified shorthand reporter has not maintained an active practice in another jurisdiction satisfactory to the Department, the Department shall determine, by an evaluation program established by rule, the reporter's his fitness to resume active status and shall, by rule, establish procedures and requirements for restoration.

However, any certified shorthand reporter whose certificate expired while he was (1) in Federal Service on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, while or the State Militia called into service or training in the State Militia, or while (2) in training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service, may have the his certificate renewed or restored without paying any lapsed renewal fees if, within 2 years after termination of such service, training, or education except under conditions other than honorable, the Department is furnished with satisfactory evidence to the effect that the certificate holder has been so engaged and that the service, training, or education has been terminated he furnished the Department with satisfactory evidence to the effect that he has been so engaged and that his service, training or education has been so terminated.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/15) (from Ch. 111, par. 6215)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 15. Inactive status. Any certified shorthand reporter who notifies the Department in writing on forms prescribed by the Department, may elect to place the reporter's his certificate on an inactive status and shall, subject to rules of the Department, be excused from payment of renewal fees until he notifies the Department has been notified in writing of the certificate holder's his desire to resume active status.

Any certified shorthand reporter requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee and shall be required to restore the reporter's his certificate, as provided in Section 14.

Any certified shorthand reporter whose certificate is in an inactive status shall not practice shorthand reporting in the State of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/16) (from Ch. 111, par. 6216)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 16. Endorsement; licensure without examination. The Department may certify as a certified shorthand reporter, without examination, on payment of the required fee, an applicant who is a certified shorthand reporter registered under the laws of another jurisdiction, if the requirements for certification of certified shorthand reporters in that jurisdiction were, at the date of his certification, substantially equivalent to the requirements in force in this State on that date.

Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fee forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/17) (from Ch. 111, par. 6217)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 17. Fees; returned checks.

(a) The fees for the administration and enforcement of this Act, including, but not limited to, original certification, renewal, and restoration of a license issued under this Act, shall be set by rule. The fees shall be nonrefundable.

(b) All fees, fines, and penalties collected under this Act shall be deposited into the General Professions Dedicated Fund and shall be appropriated to the Department for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department in the administration of this Act.

(c) Any person who delivers a check or other payment to the Department that is returned to the Department unpaid by the financial institution upon which it is drawn shall pay to the Department, in addition to the amount already owed to the Department, a fine of $50. The fines imposed by this Section are in addition to any other discipline provided under this Act prohibiting unlicensed practice or practice on a nonrenewed license. The Department shall notify the person that payment of fees and fines shall be paid to the Department by certified check or money order within 30 calendar days of the notification. If, after the expiration of 30 days from the date of the notification, the person has failed to submit the necessary remittance, the Department shall automatically terminate the license or certificate or deny the application, without hearing. If, after termination or denial, the person seeks a license or certificate, the person he or she shall apply to the Department for restoration or issuance of the license or certificate and pay all fees and fines due to the Department. The Department may establish a fee for the processing of an application for restoration of a license or certificate to pay all expenses of processing this application. The Secretary may waive the fines due under this Section in individual cases where the Secretary finds that the fines would be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/19) (from Ch. 111, par. 6219)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 19. Advertising. Any person certified under this Act may advertise the availability of professional services in the public media or on the premises where such professional services are rendered as permitted by law, on the condition that such advertising is truthful and not misleading and is in conformity with rules promulgated by the Department. Advertisements shall not include false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading material or guarantees of success. Advertisements shall also not include any offers of any gift or item of value to attorneys or the attorneys' their staff or any other persons or entities associated with any litigation.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/23) (from Ch. 111, par. 6223)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 23. Grounds for disciplinary action.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem appropriate, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation and the assessment of costs as provided for in Section 23.3 of this Act, with regard to any license for any one or combination of the following:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department;

(2) Violations of this Act, or of the rules promulgated thereunder;

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession;

(4) Fraud or any misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act;

(5) Professional incompetence;

(6) Aiding or assisting another person, firm, partnership, or corporation in violating any provision of this Act or rules;

(7) Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department;

(8) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public;

(9) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substances that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(10) Discipline by another state, unit of government, government agency, the District of Columbia, a territory, or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth herein;

(11) Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services were not rendered, or giving, directly or indirectly, any gift or anything of value to attorneys or the attorneys' their staff or any other persons or entities associated with any litigation, that exceeds $100 total per year; for the purposes of this Section, pro bono services, as defined by State law, are permissible in any amount;

(12) A finding by the Board that the certificate holder, after having the his certificate placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation;

(13) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in the practice of shorthand reporting, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments;

(14) Physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor skill which results in the inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(15) Solicitation of professional services other than by permitted advertising;

(16) Willful failure to take full and accurate stenographic notes of any proceeding;

(17) Willful alteration of any stenographic notes taken at any proceeding;

(18) Willful failure to accurately transcribe verbatim any stenographic notes taken at any proceeding;

(19) Willful alteration of a transcript of stenographic notes taken at any proceeding;

(20) Affixing one's signature to any transcript of his stenographic notes or certifying to its correctness unless the transcript has been prepared by the stenographer him or under the stenographer's his immediate supervision;

(21) Willful failure to systematically retain stenographic notes or transcripts on paper or any electronic media for 10 years from the date that the notes or transcripts were taken;

(22) Failure to deliver transcripts in a timely manner or in accordance with contractual agreements;

(23) Establishing contingent fees as a basis of compensation;

(24) Mental illness or disability that results in the inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(25) Practicing under a false or assumed name, except as provided by law;

(26) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examination administered under this Act;

(27) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act.

All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

(b) The determination by a circuit court that a certificate holder is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. Such suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, an order by the court so finding and discharging the patient. In any case where a license is suspended under this Section, the licensee may file a petition for restoration and shall include evidence acceptable to the Department that the licensee can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards of the profession.

(c) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) In enforcing this Section, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel any individual who is certified under this Act or any individual who has applied for certification under this Act to submit to a mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, which may include a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation, at the expense of the Department. The Department shall specifically designate the examining physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or, if applicable, the multidisciplinary team involved in providing the mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both. The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of one or more or a combination of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed chiropractic physicians, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and other professional and administrative staff. Any examining physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require any person ordered to submit to an examination and evaluation pursuant to this Section to submit to any additional supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any examination or evaluation process, including, but not limited to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or neuropsychological testing.

The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the Department any and all records, including business records, that relate to the examination and evaluation, including any supplemental testing performed. The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to present testimony concerning this examination and evaluation of the certified shorthand reporter or applicant, including testimony concerning any supplemental testing or documents relating to the examination and evaluation. No information, report, record, or other documents in any way related to the examination and evaluation shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communication between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team. No authorization is necessary from the certified shorthand reporter or applicant ordered to undergo an evaluation and examination for the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide information, reports, records, or other documents or to provide any testimony regarding the examination and evaluation. The individual to be examined may have, at that individual's his or her own expense, another physician of the individual's his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination.

Failure of any individual to submit to mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension, without hearing, until such time as the individual submits to the examination. If the Department finds a certified shorthand reporter unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department shall require the certified shorthand reporter to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department, as a condition for continued, reinstated, or renewed certification.

When the Secretary immediately suspends a certificate under this Section, a hearing upon the person's certificate must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the certified shorthand reporter's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment, to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual Individuals certified under this Act, affected under this Section, shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that they can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of the individual's their certification.

(e) (Blank).

(f) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing, as provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure, the license of any person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 100-872, eff. 8-14-18.)

(225 ILCS 415/23.1) (from Ch. 111, par. 6224)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 23.1. Injunctive actions; order to cease and desist.

(a) If any person violates the provisions of this Act, the Secretary may, in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, through the Attorney General of the State of Illinois or the State's Attorney of the county in which the violation is alleged to have occurred, petition for an order enjoining such violation or for an order enforcing compliance with this Act. Upon the filing of a verified petition in such court, the court may issue a temporary restraining order, without notice or bond, and may preliminarily and permanently enjoin such violation. If it is established that such person has violated or is violating the injunction, the court may punish the offender for contempt of court. Proceedings under this Section shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other remedies and penalties provided by this Act.

(b) If any person practices as a certified shorthand reporter or holds oneself himself or herself out as a certified shorthand reporter without being licensed under the provisions of this Act then any certified shorthand reporter, any interested party or any person injured thereby may, in addition to the Secretary, petition for relief as provided in subsection (a).

(c) Whenever in the opinion of the Department any person violates any provision of this Act, the Department may issue a rule to show cause why an order to cease and desist should not be entered against that individual. The rule shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide a period of 7 days from the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department. Failure to answer to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease and desist to be issued forthwith.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/23.2) (from Ch. 111, par. 6225)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 23.2. Investigations; notice and hearing. The Department may investigate the actions of any applicant or of any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a certificate. The Department shall, before refusing to issue or renew, or taking disciplinary action against, a certificate, at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify in writing the applicant for, or holder of, a certificate of the nature of the charges and the time and place for a hearing on the charges. The Department shall direct the applicant or licensee to file a written answer to the charges with the Board under oath within 20 days after the service of the notice and inform the applicant or licensee that failure to file an answer will result in default being taken against the applicant or licensee. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Department shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or the parties' their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present any pertinent statements, testimony, evidence, and arguments. The Department may continue the hearing from time to time. In case the person, after receiving the notice, fails to file an answer, the his or her license may, in the discretion of the Department, be revoked, suspended, or placed on probationary status or the Department may take whatever disciplinary action considered 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 Act. The written notice and any notice in the subsequent proceeding may be served by regular registered or certified mail to the licensee's address of record or by electronic mail to the licensee's email address of record.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/23.4) (from Ch. 111, par. 6227)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 23.4. Subpoenas; oaths. The Department may subpoena and bring before it any person and to take the oral or written testimony or compel the production of any books, papers, records, or any other documents that the Secretary or the Secretary's his or her designee deems relevant or material to an investigation or hearing conducted by the Department with the same fees and mileage and in the same manner as prescribed by law in judicial procedure in civil cases in courts of this State.

The Secretary, the designated hearing officer, any member of the Board, or a certified shorthand court reporter may have power to administer oaths at any hearing which the Department conducts. Notwithstanding any other statute or Department rule to the contrary, all requests for testimony and production of documents or records shall be in accordance with this Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/23.6) (from Ch. 111, par. 6229)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 23.6. Board report. At the conclusion of the hearing the Board shall present to the Secretary a written report of its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations. The report shall contain a finding whether or not the accused person violated this Act or failed to comply with the conditions required in this Act. The Board shall specify the nature of the violation or failure to comply, and shall make its recommendations to the Secretary. The report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of the Board shall be the basis for the Secretary's Department's action regarding a certificate. If the Secretary disagrees in any regard with the report of the Board, the Secretary he may issue an order in contravention thereof. The finding is not admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal prosecution brought for the violation of this Act, but the hearing and findings are not a bar to a criminal prosecution brought for the violation of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/23.7) (from Ch. 111, par. 6230)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 23.7. Motion for rehearing. In any hearing involving the refusal to issue or renew, or the taking of disciplinary action against, a certificate, a copy of the Board's report shall be served upon the respondent by the Department as provided in this Act for the service of the notice of hearing. Within 20 days after such service, the respondent may present to the Secretary Department a motion in writing for a rehearing, which motion shall specify the particular grounds therefor. If no motion for rehearing is filed, then upon the expiration of the time specified for filing such a motion, or if a motion for rehearing is denied, then upon such denial the Secretary may enter an order in accordance with recommendations of the Board except as provided in Section 23.6. If the respondent shall order from the reporting service, and pay for a transcript of the record within the time for filing a motion for rehearing, the 20 day period within which such a motion may be filed shall commence upon the delivery of the transcript to the respondent.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/23.9) (from Ch. 111, par. 6232)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 23.9. Hearing officers, reports, and review. The Secretary shall have the authority to appoint any attorney duly licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois to serve as the hearing officer in any action involving a refusal to issue or renew, or the taking of disciplinary action against a certificate. The hearing officer shall have full authority to conduct the hearing. The hearing officer shall report the hearing officer's his or her findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Board and the Secretary. The Board shall have 60 days from receipt of the report to review the report of the hearing officer and present the Board's their findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Secretary. If the Board fails to present its report within the 60 day period, the Secretary may issue an order based on the report of the hearing officer. If the Secretary disagrees with the report of the Board or hearing officer, the Secretary he may issue an order in contravention thereof.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/23.15) (from Ch. 111, par. 6238)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 23.15. Certification of record; receipt. The Department shall not be required to certify any record to the court or file any answer in court or otherwise appear in any court in a judicial review proceeding, unless and until the Department has received from the plaintiff payment of the costs of furnishing and certifying the record, which costs shall be determined by the Department. Exhibits shall be certified without cost. Failure on the part of the plaintiff to file a receipt in court shall be grounds for dismissal of the action.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/24) (from Ch. 111, par. 6240)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 24. Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is hereby expressly adopted and incorporated herein as if all of the provisions of that Act were included in this Act, except that the provision of subsection (d) of Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act that provides that at hearings the certificate holder has the right to show compliance with all lawful requirements for retention, continuation , or renewal of certification is specifically excluded. For the purpose of this Act the notice required under Section 10-25 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is deemed sufficient when mailed to the last known address of record or email address of record.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/26) (from Ch. 111, par. 6242)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 26. Every shorthand reporter shall print the reporter's his or her name and license or restricted license number on each transcript reported.

(Source: P.A. 87-481; 87-576.)

(225 ILCS 415/26.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 26.1. Responsibility for notes. It is the licensee's responsibility to preserve the licensee's his or her shorthand notes for a period of no less than 10 years from the date that the notes or transcripts were taken, except as otherwise prescribed by law, through storage of the original paper notes or an electronic copy of either the shorthand notes or the English transcript of the notes on computer disks, cassettes, backup tape systems, optical or laser disk systems, or other retrieval systems available at the time that the notes or transcripts were taken.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13.)

(225 ILCS 415/18 rep.)

Section 15. The Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984 is amended by repealing Section 18.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.