225 ILCS 458/15-5

(225 ILCS 458/15-5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

Sec. 15-5. Unlicensed practice; civil penalty; injunctive relief; unlawful influence.

(a) A person who violates Section 5-5 of 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 as determined by the Secretary. The civil penalty shall be assessed by the Secretary after a hearing in accordance with the provisions of this Act regarding the provision of a hearing for the discipline of a license.

(b) The Department has the authority to investigate any activity that may violate this Act.

(c) A civil penalty imposed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the civil penalty. The order shall constitute a judgment and may be filed and executed in the same manner as any judgment from any court of record. Any civil penalty collected under this Act shall be made payable to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and deposited into the Appraisal Administration Fund. In addition to or in lieu of the imposition of a civil penalty, the Department may report a violation of this Act or the failure or refusal to comply with an order of the Department to the Attorney General or to the appropriate State's Attorney.

(d) Practicing as an appraiser without holding an active license as required under this Act is declared to be adverse to the public welfare, to constitute a public nuisance, and to cause irreparable harm to the public welfare. The Secretary, the Attorney General, or the State's Attorney of any county in the State may maintain an action for injunctive relief in any circuit court to enjoin any person from engaging in such practice.

Upon the filing of a verified petition in a circuit court, the court, if satisfied by affidavit or otherwise that a person has been engaged in the practice of real estate appraisal without an active license, may enter a temporary restraining order without notice or bond enjoining the defendant from further practice. The showing of non-licensure, by affidavit or otherwise, is sufficient for the issuance of a temporary injunction. If it is established that the defendant has been or is engaged in unlawful practice, the court may enter an order or judgment perpetually enjoining the defendant from further unlawful practice. In all proceedings under this Section, the court, in its discretion, may apportion the costs among the parties interested in the action, including the cost of filing the complaint, service of process, witness fees and expenses, court reporter charges, and reasonable attorneys' fees. These injunction proceedings shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, all penalties and other remedies provided in this Act.

(e) No person shall influence or attempt to influence through coercion, extortion, or bribery the independent judgment of an appraiser licensed or certified under this Act in the development, reporting, result, or review of a real estate appraisal. A person who violates this subsection (e) is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for any subsequent offense.

(Source: P.A. 102-20, eff. 1-1-22.)