Illinois § 9

§ 9.

The Comptroller may upon his own motion investigate the actions of any person providing, selling, or offering pre-need sales contracts or of any applicant or any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license under this Act. The Comptroller shall make such an investigation on receipt of the verified written complaint of any person setting forth facts which, if proved, would constitute grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license. Before refusing to issue, and before suspension or revocation of a license, the Comptroller shall hold a hearing to determine whether the applicant or licensee, hereafter called the respondent, is entitled to hold such a license. At least 10 days prior to the date set for such hearing, the Comptroller shall notify the respondent in writing that on the date designated a hearing will be held to determine his eligibility for a license and that he may appear in person or by counsel. Such written notice may be served on the respondent personally, or by registered or certified mail sent to the respondent's business address as shown in his latest notification to the Comptroller and shall include sufficient information to inform the respondent of the general nature of the charge. At the hearing, both the respondent and the complainant shall be accorded ample opportunity to present in person or by counsel such statements, testimony, evidence and argument as may be pertinent to the charges or to any defense thereto. The Comptroller may reasonably continue such hearing from time to time. The Comptroller may subpoena any person or persons in this State and take testimony orally, by deposition or by exhibit, in the same manner and with the same fees and mileage as prescribed in judicial proceedings in civil cases. Any authorized agent of the Comptroller may administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing which the Comptroller is authorized to conduct. The Comptroller, at his expense, shall provide a certified shorthand reporter to take down the testimony and preserve a record of all proceedings at the hearing of any case involving the refusal to issue a license, the suspension or revocation of a license, the imposition of a monetary penalty, or the referral of a case for criminal prosecution. The record of any such proceeding shall consist of the notice of hearing, complaint, all other documents in the nature of pleadings and written motions filed in the proceedings, the transcript of testimony and the report and orders of the Comptroller. Copies of the transcript of such record may be purchased from the certified shorthand reporter who prepared the record or from the Comptroller. (Source: P.A. 92-419, eff. 1-1-02.)