SB1306 EngrossedLRB097 08920 CEL 49052 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Collateral Recovery Act.
 
6    Section 5. Findings; purpose. The General Assembly finds
7that collateral recovery practices affect public health,
8safety, and welfare and declares that the purpose of this Act
9is to regulate individuals and entities engaged in the business
10of collateral recovery for the protection of the public.
 
11    Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:
12    "Assignment" means a written authorization by a legal
13owner, lien holder, lessor, or lessee to locate or repossess
14any collateral, including, but not limited to, collateral
15registered under the Illinois Vehicle Code that is subject to a
16security agreement that contains a repossession clause.
17"Assignment" also means a written authorization by an employer
18to recover any collateral entrusted to an employee or former
19employee if the possessor is wrongfully in the possession of
20the collateral. A photocopy, facsimile copy, or electronic copy
21of an assignment shall have the same force and effect as an
22original written assignment.

 

 

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1    "Branch office" means each additional office and secured
2storage facility location of a repossession agency conducting
3business within the State of Illinois and operating under the
4same name as the repossession agency where business is actively
5conducted that advertises as performing or is engaged in the
6business authorized by the licensure. Each branch office must
7be individually licensed.
8    "Collateral" means any vehicle, boat, recreational
9vehicle, motor home, motorcycle, or other property that is
10subject to a security agreement.
11    "Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission.
12    "Debtor" means any person or entity obligated under a
13security agreement.
14    "Financial institution" means a bank, a licensee under the
15Consumer Installment Loan Act, savings bank, savings and loan
16association, or credit union organized and operating under the
17laws of this or any other state or of the United States, and
18any subsidiary or affiliate thereof.
19    "Legal owner" means a person holding (i) a security
20interest in any collateral that is subject to a security
21agreement, (ii) a lien against any collateral, or (iii) an
22interest in any collateral that is subject to a lease
23agreement.
24    "Licensure" means the approval of the required criteria
25that has been submitted for review in accordance with the
26provisions of this Act.

 

 

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1    "Licensed recovery manager" means a person who possesses a
2valid license in accordance with the provisions of this Act and
3is in control or management of an Illinois repossession agency.
4    "Personal effects" means any property contained within or
5on repossessed collateral that is not the property of the legal
6owner.
7    "Recovery permit" means a permit issued by the Commission
8to a repossession agency employee who has met all the
9requirements under this Act.
10    "Recovery ticket" means a serialized record obtained from
11the Commission for any repossessed vehicle or collateral from
12any person, business, financial institution, state agency,
13automotive dealership, or towing company that shows a recovery
14ticket fee has been paid to the Commission.
15    "Repossession agency" means any person or entity
16conducting business within the State of Illinois, that, for any
17type of consideration, engages in the business of, accepts
18employment to furnish, or agrees to provide or provides
19property locating services, property recovery, recovered
20property transportation, recovered property storage, or all
21services relevant to any of the following:
22        (1) The location, disposition, or recovery of property
23    as authorized by the self-help provisions of the Uniform
24    Commercial Code.
25        (2) The location, disposition, or recovery of lost or
26    stolen property.

 

 

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1        (3) Securing evidence concerning repossession and
2    recovery to be used before any court, board, office, or
3    investigating committee.
4        (4) Inventory of property contained in or on the
5    collateral or recovered property.
6        (5) The possession of collateral.
7        (6) The prevention of the misappropriation or
8    concealment of chattel, vehicles, goods, objects,
9    documents, or papers. A repossession agency must maintain a
10    secured storage facility.
11    "Repossession agency" does not include any of the
12following:
13        (1) An attorney at law who is performing his or her
14    duties as an attorney at law.
15        (2) The legal owner of collateral that is subject to a
16    security agreement.
17        (3) An officer or employee of the United States of
18    America or of this State or a political subdivision of this
19    State while the officer or employee is engaged in the
20    performance of his or her official duties.
21        (4) A qualified license or recovery permit holder or a
22    registrant when performing services for, or on behalf of, a
23    licensed repossession agency.
24    "Repossession agency employee" means any person or
25self-employed independent contractor who is hired by a
26repossession agency.

 

 

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1    "Secured storage facility" means an area located on the
2same premises as a repossession agency office or branch office
3that is designated for the storage of collateral and has a
4perimeter that is secured with a fencing construction that
5makes the area not accessible to the public. Each repossession
6agency office or branch office must maintain a secured storage
7facility.
8    "Security agreement" means an obligation, pledge,
9mortgage, chattel mortgage, lease agreement, deposit, or lien,
10given by a debtor as security for payment or performance of his
11or her debt by furnishing the creditor with a recourse to be
12used in case of failure in the principal obligation. "Security
13agreement" includes a bailment where an employer-employee
14relationship exists or existed between the bailor and the
15bailee.
 
16    Section 15. Powers of Commission.
17    (a) The Commission shall regulate repossession agencies
18and their employees, managers or agents in accordance with this
19Act, and to that end may establish reasonable requirements with
20respect to proper service and practices relating thereto.
21    (b) The Commission shall have the following powers:
22        (1) To require that all employees, agents, or other
23    personnel used in repossession be employees, agents, or
24    personnel of a licensed repossession agency.
25        (2) To adopt reasonable and proper rules covering the

 

 

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1    exercise of powers conferred upon it by this Act, and
2    reasonable rules governing investigations, hearings, and
3    proceedings under this Act.
4        (3) To adopt appropriate rules setting forth the
5    standards and procedures by which it will administer and
6    enforce this Act.
7        (4) To create special procedures for the receipt and
8    handling of consumer complaints.
9        (5) To employ such persons as are needed to administer
10    and enforce this Act, in such capacities as they are
11    needed, whether as hearing examiners, special examiners,
12    enforcement officers, investigators, or otherwise.
13    (c) The staff of the Commission shall have full power and
14authority in the performance of their official duties to enter
15into or upon any place, building, or premises of any
16repossession agency location or branch office location at any
17reasonable time for the purpose of inspecting such agency
18operating under this Act.
 
19    Section 20. Rulemaking enforcement.
20    (a) The Commission may adopt any rules and procedures
21necessary to enforce and administer the provisions of this Act.
22    (b) The Commission may, by administrative rule, modify any
23rules or procedures or adjust any fees necessary to regulate
24and enforce the provisions of this Act.
 

 

 

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1    Section 25. Recovery ticket.
2    (a) A licensed repossession agency must purchase a recovery
3ticket from the Commission for each repossessed vehicle or
4collateral. The recovery ticket must show all of the following
5information:
6        (1) The date, time, and location of the repossession.
7        (2) The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the make,
8    the model, and the year of the vehicle or collateral
9    repossessed.
10        (3) The debtor's name, the agency name, the employee's
11    name, and the recovery permit number.
12        (4) The name and officer identification number of the
13    local law enforcement officer notified of the
14    repossession.
15    (b) The recovery ticket must be placed with the vehicle or
16collateral at the time of repossession and must accompany the
17vehicle or collateral until it has been liquidated or returned
18to the lien holder or debtor. A copy of the recovery ticket
19must be kept for the agency's permanent file for a period of 2
20years following the date of repossession. A copy of the
21recovery ticket must be returned to the legal owner or
22financial institution within 72 hours following the date of
23repossession.
24    (c) A fee for the recovery ticket must be collected by the
25Commission at the time of purchase. The cost for each recovery
26ticket is $10 and is nonrefundable. Recovery tickets must only

 

 

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1be sold in lots of 50 and 100. Only an Illinois licensed
2repossession agency may purchase recovery tickets.
3    If a repossession agency's license is revoked by the
4Commission, then the repossession agency must return any and
5all unused recovery tickets to the Commission immediately upon
6license revocation. No refund from the Commission will be
7issued for the return of unused recovery tickets.
8    (d) Any agency or employee found to be in possession of a
9repossessed vehicle without having a valid recovery ticket is
10in violation of this Act and therefore jeopardizing the license
11of the employee or the agency that he or she is repossessing
12for.
 
13    Section 30. License or registration required.
14    (a) It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to
15repossess a vehicle or collateral in this State, attempt to
16repossess a vehicle or collateral in this State, or to hold
17himself, herself, or itself out to be a repossession agency
18unless licensed under this Act.
19    (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to repossess a
20vehicle or collateral in this State, attempt to repossess a
21vehicle or collateral in this State, or to hold himself or
22herself out to be a licensed recovery manager unless licensed
23under this Act.
24    (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to repossess a
25vehicle or collateral in this State, attempt to repossess a

 

 

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1vehicle or collateral in this State, or hold himself or herself
2out to be a repossession agency employee unless he or she holds
3a valid recovery permit issued by the Commission under this
4Act.
5    (d) This Act does not apply to a financial institution or
6the employee of a financial institution when engaged in an
7activity otherwise covered by this Act if the activity is
8conducted by the employee on behalf of that financial
9institution.
 
10    Section 35. Application for repossession agency licensure.
11    (a) Application for original licensure as a repossession
12agency shall be made to the Commission in writing on forms
13prescribed by the Commission and shall be accompanied by the
14appropriate documentation and the required fee, which fee is
15nonrefundable.
16    (b) Every application shall state, in addition to any other
17requirements, (i) the name of the applicant, (ii) the name
18under which the applicant will do business, (iii) the proposed
19location of the agency by number and street and city, and (iv)
20the usual business hours that the agency will maintain.
21    (c) No license may be issued (i) in any fictitious name
22that may be confused with or is similar to any federal, state,
23county, or municipal government function or agency, (ii) in any
24name that may tend to describe any business function or
25enterprise not actually engaged in by the applicant, (iii) in

 

 

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1any name that is the same as or similar to any existing
2licensed company and that would tend to deceive the public,
3(iv) in any name that would tend to be deceptive or misleading,
4or (v) to any repossession agency applicant without that
5agency's location or branch office location maintaining a
6secured storage facility as defined in Section 10 of this Act.
7    (d) If the applicant for repossession agency licensure is
8an individual, then his or her application shall include (i)
9the full residential address of the applicant and (ii) either
10the sworn statement of the applicant declaring that he or she
11is the licensed recovery manager who will be personally in
12control of the agency for which the licensure is sought, or the
13name and signed sworn statement of the licensed recovery
14manager who will be in control of the agency.
15    (e) If the applicant for repossession agency licensure is a
16partnership, then the application shall include (i) a statement
17of the names and full residential addresses of all partners in
18the business and (ii) a sworn statement signed by each partner
19verifying the name of the person who is a licensed recovery
20manager and will be in control of the business. If a licensed
21recovery manager who is not a partner will be in control of the
22agency, then he or she must also sign the sworn statement. The
23application shall also state whether any of the partners has
24ever used an alias.
25    (f) If the applicant for licensure as a repossession agency
26is a corporation, then the application shall include (i) the

 

 

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1names and full residential addresses of all corporation
2officers and (ii) a sworn statement signed by a duly authorized
3officer of the corporation verifying the name of the person who
4is a licensed recovery manager and will be in control of the
5agency. If a licensed recovery manager who is not an officer
6will be in control of the agency, then he or she must also sign
7the sworn statement. The application shall also state whether
8any of the officers has ever used an alias.
9    (g) If the applicant for licensure as a repossession agency
10is a limited liability company, then the application shall
11include (i) the names and full residential addresses of all
12company owners and (ii) a sworn statement signed by each owner
13verifying the name of the person who is a licensed recovery
14manager and will be in control of the agency. If a licensed
15recovery manager who is not an owner will be in control of the
16agency, then he or she must also sign the sworn statement. The
17application shall also state whether any of the owners has ever
18used an alias.
19    (h) Each individual, partner of a partnership, officer of a
20corporation, or owner of a limited liability company shall
21submit with the application a copy of one form of personal
22identification upon which must appear a photograph taken within
23one year immediately preceding the date of the filing of the
24application.
25    (i) No examination shall be required for licensure as a
26repossession agency by the Commission.

 

 

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1    (j) The Commission may require any additional information
2that, in the judgment of the Commission, will enable the
3Commission to pass on the qualifications of the applicant for
4licensure.
5    (k) Applicants have 90 days from the date of application to
6complete the application process. If the application has not
7been completed within 90 days, then the application shall be
8denied, the fee shall be forfeited, and the applicant must
9reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of
10reapplication.
11    (l) Nothing in this Section precludes a domestic or foreign
12limited liability company being licensed as a repossession
13agency.
14    (m) A repossession agency license is not transferable.
15    (n) Repossessions performed in this State must be performed
16by repossession agencies, their employees, or agents licensed
17by the Commission, with the exception of financial institutions
18or the employees of a financial institution that are exempt
19under subsection (d) of Section 30 of this Act.
 
20    Section 37. Enforcement. It shall be unlawful for any
21repossession agency, employee, or agent of a repossession
22agency to operate in this State without a valid license or
23recovery permit issued by the Commission. It shall be unlawful
24for any person or entity to repossess a vehicle or collateral
25in the State without a recovery ticket issued by the

 

 

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1Commission. It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to
2forward, transfer, or subcontract an assignment to a
3repossession agency or its employees or agents who do not have
4a valid license or recovery permit issued by the Commission.
5The Commission may, at any time during the term of the license,
6make inquiry into the licensee's management or conduct of
7business to determine compliance with the provisions of this
8Act or the rules adopted pursuant to this Act. State, county,
9and local municipalities shall work in conjunction with the
10Commission in the enforcement of this Act.
 
11    Section 40. Qualifications for recovery manager;
12identification card.
13    (a) An applicant is qualified for licensure as a recovery
14manager if that person meets all of the following requirements:
15        (1) Is 21 years of age or older.
16        (2) Has not been convicted in any jurisdiction of any
17    felony or at least 10 years has passed from the time of
18    discharge from any sentence imposed for a felony.
19        (3) Has completed no less than 5,000 hours of actual
20    compensated collateral recovery work as an employee of a
21    repossession agency, a financial institution, or a vehicle
22    dealer in the 3 years immediately preceding the filing of
23    an application, acceptable proof of which must be submitted
24    to the Commission.
25        (4) Has submitted to the Commission 2 sets of

 

 

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1    fingerprints, which shall be checked against the
2    fingerprint records on file with the Illinois Commerce
3    Commission Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
4    in the manner set forth in Section 60 of this Act.
5        (5) Has successfully completed the Certified Asset
6    Recovery Specialist (C.A.R.S.) program, or any other
7    nationally recognized certification program.
8        (6) Has paid the required application fees.
9    (b) Upon the issuance of a recovery manager license, the
10Commission shall issue the license holder a suitable pocket
11identification card that shall include a photograph of the
12license holder. The identification card must contain the name
13of the license holder and that of the repossession agency that
14employs the license holder, in addition to any other
15information required by the Commission.
16    (c) A recovery manager license is not transferable.
 
17    Section 45. Repossession agency employee requirements.
18    (a) All employees of a licensed repossession agency whose
19duties include the actual repossession of collateral must apply
20for a recovery permit. The holder of a repossession agency
21license issued under this Act, known in this Section as the
22"employer", may employ in the conduct of the business under the
23following provisions:
24        (1) No person may be issued a recovery permit who meets
25    any of the following criteria:

 

 

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1            (A) Is younger than 21 years of age.
2            (B) Has been determined by the Commission to be
3        unfit by reason of conviction of an offense in this or
4        another state, other than a minor traffic offense. The
5        Commission shall adopt rules for making those
6        determinations.
7            (C) Has had a license or recovery permit denied,
8        suspended, or revoked under this Act.
9            (D) Has not successfully completed the Certified
10        Asset Recovery Specialist (C.A.R.S.) program, or any
11        other nationally recognized certification program.
12        (2) No person may be employed by a repossession agency
13    under this Section until he or she has executed and
14    furnished to the Commission, on forms furnished by the
15    Commission, a verified statement to be known as an
16    "Employee's Statement" setting forth all of the following:
17            (A) The person's full name, age, and residence
18        address.
19            (B) The business or occupation engaged in for the 5
20        years immediately before the date of the execution of
21        the statement, the place where the business or
22        occupation was engaged in, and the names of the
23        employers, if any.
24            (C) That the person has not had a license or
25        recovery permit denied, revoked, or suspended under
26        this Act.

 

 

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1            (D) Any conviction of a felony.
2            (E) Any other information as may be required by any
3        rule of the Commission to show the good character,
4        competency, and integrity of the person executing the
5        statement.
6    (b) Each applicant for a recovery permit shall have his or
7her fingerprints submitted to the Commission in an electronic
8format that complies with the form and manner for requesting
9and furnishing criminal history record information as
10prescribed by the Illinois Commerce Commission Police. These
11fingerprints shall be checked against the Illinois Commerce
12Commission Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal
13history record databases now and hereafter filed. The
14Commission shall charge applicants a fee for conducting the
15criminal history records check, which shall not exceed the
16actual cost of the records check. The Illinois Commerce
17Commission Police shall furnish, pursuant to positive
18identification, records of Illinois convictions to the
19Commission. The Commission, in its discretion, may allow an
20applicant who does not have reasonable access to a designated
21vendor to provide his or her fingerprints in an alternative
22manner. The Commission, in its discretion, may also use other
23procedures in performing or obtaining criminal history records
24checks of applicants. Instead of submitting his or her
25fingerprints, an individual may submit proof that is
26satisfactory to the Commission that an equivalent security

 

 

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1clearance has been conducted.
2    (c) Qualified applicants shall purchase a recovery permit
3from a vendor designated by the Commission and in a form that
4the Commission prescribes. The Commission shall notify the
5submitting person within 10 days after receipt of the
6application of its intent to issue or deny the recovery permit.
7The holder of a recovery permit shall carry the recovery permit
8at all times while actually engaged in the performance of the
9duties of his or her employment. Expiration and requirements
10for renewal of recovery permits shall be established by rule of
11the Commission. Possession of a recovery permit does not in any
12way imply that the holder of the recovery permit is employed by
13any agency unless the recovery permit is accompanied by the
14employee identification card required by subsection (e) of this
15Section.
16    (d) Each employer shall maintain a record of each employee
17that is accessible to the duly authorized representatives of
18the Commission. The record shall contain all of the following
19information:
20        (1) A photograph taken within 10 days after the date
21    that the employee begins employment with the employer. The
22    photograph shall be replaced with a current photograph
23    every 3 calendar years.
24        (2) The Employee's Statement specified in paragraph
25    (2) of subsection (a) of this Section.
26        (3) All correspondence or documents relating to the

 

 

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1    character and integrity of the employee received by the
2    employer from any official source or law enforcement
3    agency.
4        (4) In the case of former employees, the employee
5    identification card of that person issued under subsection
6    (e) of this Section.
7    (e) Every employer shall furnish an employee
8identification card to each of his or her employees. This
9subsection (e) shall not apply to office or clerical personnel.
10This employee identification card shall contain a recent
11photograph of the employee, the employee's name, the name and
12agency license number of the employer, the employee's personal
13description, the signature of the employer, the signature of
14that employee, the date of issuance, and an employee
15identification card number.
16    (f) No employer may issue an employee identification card
17to any person who is not employed by the employer in accordance
18with this Section or falsely state or represent that a person
19is or has been in his or her employ. It is unlawful for an
20applicant for registration to file with the Commission the
21fingerprints of a person other than himself or herself or to
22fail to exercise due diligence in resubmitting replacement
23fingerprints for those employees who have had original
24fingerprint submissions returned as unclassifiable.
25    (g) Every employer shall obtain the identification card of
26every employee who terminates employment with the employer.

 

 

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1    (h) No agency may employ any person to perform any activity
2under this Act unless the person possesses a valid license or
3recovery permit under this Act.
4    (i) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (h) of
5this Section, an agency may employ a person in a temporary
6capacity if all of the following conditions are met:
7        (1) The agency completes in its entirety and submits to
8    the Commission an application for a recovery permit,
9    including the required fees.
10        (2) The agency has verification from the Commission
11    that the applicant has no record of any criminal conviction
12    pursuant to the criminal history records check conducted by
13    the Illinois Commerce Commission Police. The agency shall
14    maintain the verification of the results of the Illinois
15    Commerce Commission Police criminal history records check
16    as part of the employee record as required under subsection
17    (d) of this Section.
18        (3) The agency exercises due diligence to ensure that
19    the person is qualified under the requirements of the Act
20    to be issued a recovery permit.
21        (4) The agency maintains a separate roster of the names
22    of all employees whose applications are currently pending
23    with the Commission and submits the roster to the
24    Commission on a monthly basis. Rosters are to be maintained
25    by the agency for a period of at least 24 months. An agency
26    may employ an employee applicant only if (i) it either

 

 

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1    submits an employee application and all required forms and
2    fees or confirms with the Commission that an employee
3    application and all required forms and fees have been
4    submitted by another agency, and (ii) all other
5    requirements of this Section are met. The Commission shall
6    have the authority to revoke, without a hearing, the
7    temporary authority of an individual to work upon receipt
8    of Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint data or the
9    report of another official authority indicating a criminal
10    conviction. If the Commission has not received a temporary
11    employee's Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint
12    data within 120 days after the date the Commission received
13    the Illinois Commerce Commission Police fingerprint data,
14    then the Commission may, at its discretion, revoke the
15    employee's temporary authority to work with 15 days written
16    notice to the individual and the employing agency.
17    An agency may not employ a person in a temporary capacity
18if it knows or reasonably should know that the person has been
19convicted of a crime under the laws of this State, has been
20convicted in another state of any crime that is a crime under
21the laws of this State, has been convicted of any crime in
22federal court, or has been posted as an unapproved applicant by
23the Commission. Notice by the Commission to the agency, via
24certified mail, personal delivery, electronic mail, or posting
25on an internet site accessible to the agency that the person
26has been convicted of a crime shall be deemed constructive

 

 

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1knowledge of the conviction on the part of the agency. The
2Commission may adopt rules to implement this subsection (i).
3    (j) If information is discovered affecting the
4registration of a person whose fingerprints were submitted
5under this Section, then the Commission shall so notify the
6agency that submitted the fingerprints on behalf of that
7person.
8    (k) A person employed under this Section shall have 15
9business days within which to notify the Commission of any
10change in employer. Upon notification and payment of the
11required fee, the Commission shall issue that person a new
12recovery card, provided that the person's current employer is a
13licensed repossession agency.
14    (l) This Section applies only to those employees of
15licensed repossession agencies whose duties include actual
16repossession of collateral.
 
17    Section 50. Fees.
18    (a) The license and permit fees required under this Act are
19as follows:
20        (1) Class "R" license (recovery agency), $825.
21        (2) Class "RR" license (branch office), $425.
22        (3) Class "MR" license (recovery agency manager),
23    $325.
24        (4) Class "E" recovery permit (recovery agent), $75.
25        (5) Class "EE" recovery permit (recovery agent

 

 

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1    intern), $75.
2    (b) The Commission may establish by rule a fee for the
3replacement or revision of a license or recovery permit.
4    (c) The fees set forth in this Section must be paid by
5certified check or money order, or at the discretion of the
6Commission, by agency check at the time the application is
7approved, except that an applicant for a Class "E", Class "EE",
8or Class "MR" license or permit must pay the license or permit
9fee at the time the application is made. If a license or permit
10is revoked or denied, or if an application is withdrawn, then
11the license or permit fee shall not be refunded.
 
12    Section 55. Social Security Number or Federal Employee
13Identification Number on application. In addition to any other
14information required by the Commission to be contained in the
15application, every application for original, renewal, or
16restored license or permit shall include the applicant's Social
17Security Number, if an individual, or Federal Employer
18Identification Number, if not an individual. The Commission
19shall not disclose an individual's Social Security Number and
20must keep that Social Security Number confidential unless
21disclosure is required by law.
 
22    Section 60. Criminal background check. The Commission
23shall require that each individual, partner of a partnership,
24officer of a corporation, or owner of a limited liability

 

 

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1company, as part of the application process, authorize a
2criminal history records check to determine if such applicant
3has ever been charged with a crime and, if so, the disposition
4of those charges. Upon this authorization, each individual,
5partner of a partnership, officer of a corporation, or owner of
6a limited liability company shall submit his or her
7fingerprints to the Commission in the form and manner
8prescribed by the Illinois Commerce Commission Police. These
9fingerprints shall be checked against the fingerprint records
10now and hereafter filed in the Illinois Commerce Commission
11Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history
12records databases. The Commission shall charge a fee for
13conducting the criminal history records check, which shall be
14deposited in the Transportation Regulatory Fund and shall not
15exceed the actual cost of the records check. The Illinois
16Commerce Commission Police shall provide information
17concerning any criminal charges, and their disposition, now or
18hereafter filed against an applicant upon request of the
19Commission when the request is made in the form and manner
20required by the Illinois Commerce Commission Police.
 
21    Section 65. Licensed recovery manager in control of
22repossession agency.
23    (a) As a condition of licensure, a licensed recovery
24manager must, at all times, be in control of a repossession
25agency. Each licensed repossession agency and licensed branch

 

 

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1office location must have a licensed recovery manager on site.
2The licensed recovery manager in control must spend over 51% of
3the usual business hours conducting business related to
4collateral recovery at the licensed location.
5    (b) A licensed recovery manager may only be in control of
6one repossession agency or branch office location at one time.
7Upon written request by a representative of an agency within 10
8days after the loss of the licensed recovery manager in control
9due to the death of the license holder or because of an
10unanticipated termination of his or her employment, the
11Commission shall issue a temporary permit allowing the
12continuing operation of a previously licensed repossession
13agency. The temporary permit shall be valid for no more than 90
14days. Upon written request by the representative of the agency,
15an extension of an additional 90 days may be granted by the
16Commission for good cause shown. No more than 2 extensions may
17be granted to any repossession agency. A temporary permit may
18not be issued for loss of the licensed recovery manager in
19control if that loss is due to disciplinary action taken by the
20Commission.
21    (c) Whenever a licensed recovery manager in control of a
22repossession agency ceases to be in control, the licensed
23agency shall file notice with the Commission within 30 days
24after the cessation. If the repossession agency fails to give
25written notice at the end of the 30-day period, then the
26agency's license shall automatically be suspended. If the

 

 

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1notice is filed, then the license shall remain in force for a
2period of 90 days after the filing of the notice. At the end of
3the 90-day period or an additional period, not to exceed one
4year, as specified by the Commission, if written notice is not
5given that a licensed recovery manager is then in control of
6the agency, then the agency's license shall automatically be
7suspended. A license suspended under this Section may be
8reinstated upon payment of a reinstatement fee, to be
9determined by the Commission, and submission of a reinstatement
10application.
11    (d) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, no person may
12serve as the licensed recovery manager in control of a licensed
13repossession agency if that person has ever had a repossession
14agency's license revoked or if the person was a partner,
15managing employee, owner, or officer of a repossession agency
16the license of which has been revoked for cause.
17    (e) The license of the recovery manager in control of a
18licensed repossession agency, together with the agency's
19license, shall be conspicuously displayed at the agency
20location of which the recovery manager is in control.
21    (f) A license extended under this Section is subject to all
22other provisions of this Act.
 
23    Section 70. License extension in cases of death or
24disassociation.
25    (a) In the case of the death of a person who is licensed

 

 

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1individually as a repossession agency, a member of the
2deceased's immediate family shall be entitled to continue
3operating the agency under the same license for up to 120 days
4following the date of death, provided that written notice is
5given to the Commission within 30 days following the date of
6death. At the end of the 120-day period, the license shall
7automatically be revoked.
8    (b) In the case of the death or disassociation of a partner
9of a partnership licensed as a repossession agency, the company
10shall notify the Commission, in writing, within 30 days from
11the death or disassociation of the partner. If they fail to
12notify the Commission within the 30-day period, then the
13license shall automatically be revoked at the end of that
14period. If proper notice is given, then the license shall
15remain in force for 90 days following the date of death or
16disassociation of the partner. At the end of the 90-day period,
17the license shall automatically be revoked.
18    (c) A license extended under this Section is subject to all
19other provisions of this Act.
 
20    Section 75. Licenses and recovery permits; renewals;
21restoration; person in military service.
22    (a) An original Class "R" license, Class "RR" license, and
23Class "MR" license shall expire 2 years after the date of
24issuance.
25    (b) An original Class "E" recovery permit and Class "EE"

 

 

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1recovery permit shall expire one year after the date of
2issuance.
3    (c) A renewal Class "R" license, Class "RR" license and
4Class "MR" license shall expire 2 years after the date of
5renewal.
6    (d) A renewal Class "E" recovery permit and Class "EE"
7recovery permit shall expire one year after the date of
8renewal.
9    (e) The following are guidelines for the classes of
10licensure and registration:
11        (1) Any person, firm, company, partnership, or
12    corporation that engages in business as a recovery agency
13    shall have a Class "R" license. A Class "R" license is
14    valid for only one location.
15        (2) Each branch office of a Class "R" agency shall have
16    a Class "RR" license.
17        (3) Any individual who performs the services of a
18    manager for a Class "R" recovery agency or a Class "RR"
19    branch office must have a Class "MR" license.
20        (4) Any individual who performs recovery services as a
21    repossession agency employee for a Class "R" recovery
22    agency or a Class "RR" branch office must have a Class "E"
23    recovery permit.
24        (5) Any individual who performs repossessions as an
25    intern under the direction and control of a designated,
26    sponsoring Class "E" recovery permit or a designated,

 

 

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1    sponsoring Class "MR" license shall have a Class "EE"
2    recovery permit.
3        (6) An individual shall have a Class "E" recovery
4    permit if he or she owns or is an employee of a Class "R"
5    agency or Class "RR" branch office.
6        (7) Class "R", Class "RR", Class "MR", Class "E", and
7    Class "EE" licenses and recovery permits are not
8    transferable.
9    (f) At least 90 days prior to the expiration of a license
10or recovery permit, the Commission shall mail to the license or
11permit holder a renewal form in the form and manner prescribed
12by the Commission. The license holder or recovery permit holder
13must complete and mail the renewal form to the Commission, pay
14any fines assessed, and pay any renewal fee required by the
15Commission.
16    (g) Any person or entity that has permitted a license or
17recovery permit to expire may have that license or recovery
18permit restored by making an application to the Commission
19within one year after the expiration of a repossession agency's
20license or a qualified manager license or within 30 days after
21the expiration of a recovery permit, filing proof acceptable to
22the Commission of fitness to have the license or recovery
23permit restored, and paying the required restoration fee.
24However, any person whose license or recovery permit expired
25while (i) in federal service on active duty with the Armed
26Forces of the United States or called into service or training

 

 

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1with the State militia or (ii) in training or education under
2the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction
3into military service may have his or her license or recovery
4permit renewed or restored without paying any lapsed renewal
5fees, if within 2 years after honorable termination of the
6service, training, or education, except under condition other
7than honorable, he or she furnishes the Commission with
8satisfactory evidence to the effect that he or she has been so
9engaged and that the service, training, or education has been
10so terminated.
11    (h) A suspended repossession agency license, recovery
12manager license, or recovery permit is subject to expiration as
13set forth in this Section. Renewal of a certificate or
14registration card does not entitle the license holder or
15recovery permit holder, while the license or recovery permit
16remains suspended and until it is reinstated, to engage in the
17licensed or permitted activity.
18    (i) A revoked repossession agency license, recovery
19manager license, or recovery permit is subject to expiration as
20set forth in this Section; however, it may not be renewed. If a
21revoked license or recovery permit is reinstated after its
22expiration, then the license holder or recovery permit holder,
23as a condition of reinstatement, shall pay a reinstatement fee
24in an amount equal to the renewal fee in effect on the last
25regular renewal date prior to the date on which the license or
26recovery permit is reinstated and any additional delinquency

 

 

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1fee required by the Commission.
2    (j) Any person or entity that notifies the Commission, in
3writing on forms prescribed by the Commission, may place a
4license or recovery permit on inactive status and shall be
5excused from the payment of renewal fees until the person or
6entity notifies the Commission in writing of the intention to
7resume active practice. Any person or entity requesting that a
8license or recovery permit be changed from inactive to active
9status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee.
10    (k) Any repossession agency license holder, recovery
11manager license holder, or recovery permit holder whose license
12or recovery permit is nonrenewed or on inactive status shall
13not engage in the practice of recovery in this State or use the
14title or advertise that he, she, or it performs the services of
15a licensed repossession agency, licensed recovery manager, or
16repossession agency employee.
17    (l) Any person violating subsection (k) of this Section
18shall be considered to be operating a repossession agency
19without a license, acting as a recovery manager without a
20license, or acting as a repossession agency employee without a
21recovery permit and is subject to the disciplinary provisions
22of this Act.
23    (m) A repossession agency license, recovery manager
24license, or recovery permit that is not renewed within 3 years
25after its expiration may not be renewed, restored, reinstated,
26or reissued thereafter. The holder of the license or recovery

 

 

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1permit may obtain a new license or recovery permit only upon
2compliance with all of the provisions of this Act concerning
3the issuance of original licenses or recovery permits.
 
4    Section 80. Refusal, revocation, or suspension.
5    (a) The Commission may refuse to issue or renew or may
6revoke any license or recovery permit or may suspend, place on
7probation, fine, or take any disciplinary action that the
8Commission may deem proper, including fines not to exceed
9$2,500 for each violation, with regard to any license holder or
10recovery permit holder for one or any combination of the
11following causes:
12        (1) Knowingly making any misrepresentation for the
13    purpose of obtaining a license or recovery permit.
14        (2) Violations of this Act or its rules.
15        (3) Conviction of any crime under the laws of the
16    United States or any state or territory thereof that is (i)
17    a felony, (ii) a misdemeanor, an essential element of which
18    is dishonesty, or (iii) a crime that is related to the
19    practice of the profession.
20        (4) Aiding or abetting another in violating any
21    provision of this Act or its rules.
22        (5) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or
23    unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive,
24    defraud, or harm the public as defined by rule.
25        (6) Violation of any court order from any State or

 

 

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1    public agency engaged in the enforcement of payment of
2    child support arrearages or for noncompliance with certain
3    processes relating to paternity or support proceeding.
4        (7) Solicitation of professional services by using
5    false or misleading advertising.
6        (8) A finding that the license or recovery permit was
7    obtained by fraudulent means.
8        (9) Practicing or attempting to practice under a name
9    other than the full name shown on the license or recovery
10    permit or any other legally authorized name.
11    (b) The Commission may refuse to issue or may suspend the
12license or recovery permit of any person or entity who fails to
13file a return, pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a
14filed return, or pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or
15interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the
16Department of Revenue, until the time the requirements of the
17tax Act are satisfied. The Commission may take into
18consideration any pending tax disputes properly filed with the
19Department of Revenue.
 
20    Section 85. Consideration of past crimes.
21    (a) Notwithstanding the prohibitions set forth in Sections
2240 and 45 of this Act, when considering the denial of a license
23or recovery permit on the grounds of conviction of a crime, the
24Commission, in evaluating the rehabilitation of the applicant
25and the applicant's present eligibility for a license or

 

 

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1recovery permit, shall consider each of the following criteria:
2        (1) The nature and severity of the act or crime under
3    consideration as grounds for denial.
4        (2) Evidence of any act committed subsequent to the act
5    or crime under consideration as grounds for denial, which
6    also could be considered as grounds for disciplinary action
7    under this Act.
8        (3) The amount of time that has lapsed since the
9    commission of the act or crime referred to in item (1) or
10    (2) of this subsection (a).
11        (4) The extent to which the applicant has complied with
12    any terms of parole, probation, restitution, or any other
13    sanctions lawfully imposed against the applicant.
14        (5) Evidence, if any, of rehabilitation submitted by
15    the applicant.
16    (b) When considering the suspension or revocation of a
17license or recovery permit on the grounds of conviction of a
18crime, the Commission, in evaluating the rehabilitation of the
19applicant and the applicant's present eligibility for a license
20or recovery permit, shall consider each of the following
21criteria:
22        (1) The nature and severity of the act or offense.
23        (2) The license holder's or recovery permit holder's
24    criminal record in its entirety.
25        (3) The amount of time that has lapsed since the
26    commission of the act or offense.

 

 

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1        (4) Whether the license holder or recovery permit
2    holder has complied with any terms of parole, probation,
3    restitution, or any other sanctions lawfully imposed
4    against him or her.
5        (5) If applicable, evidence of expungement
6    proceedings.
7        (6) Evidence, if any, of rehabilitation submitted by
8    the license holder or recovery permit holder.
 
9    Section 90. Insurance required. No repossession agency
10license shall be issued unless the applicant first files with
11the Commission a certification of insurance evidencing
12coverage in the amount required under this Section. The
13coverage shall provide the Commission as an additional insured
14for the purpose of receiving all notices of modifications or
15cancellations of such insurance. Coverage shall be written by
16an insurance company that is lawfully engaged to provide
17insurance coverage in Illinois. Coverage shall provide for a
18combined single limit policy in the amount of at least
19$1,000,000 per occurrence, which policy shall include
20commercial general liability for wrongful repossession, garage
21keepers, on hook, and drive-away. Coverage shall provide for a
22dishonesty bond policy in the amount of at least $1,000,000.
23Coverage shall insure for the liability of all employees
24licensed or registered by the Commission while acting in the
25course of their employment. The agency shall notify the

 

 

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1Commission immediately upon cancellation of the insurance
2policy, whether the cancellation was initiated by the insurance
3company or the insured agency. The agency's license shall
4automatically be suspended on the date of cancellation of the
5policy, unless new evidence of insurance is provided to the
6Commission prior to the effective date of cancellation.
 
7    Section 95. Display of license required. At all times, a
8repossession agency's license shall be conspicuously displayed
9at the agency location on record with the Commission.
 
10    Section 100. Local government; home rule.
11    (a) Nothing in this Act shall prevent local authorities in
12any municipality, county, or municipality and county, by
13ordinance and within the exercise of the police power of the
14municipality or county, from requiring repossession agency and
15recovery manager license holders to register their names and
16file a copy of their State identification cards with the
17municipality, county, or municipality and county.
18    (b) A municipality or county, including a home rule unit,
19may not regulate individuals and entities engaged in the
20business of collateral recovery in a manner that is less
21stringent than the standards established under this Act. To the
22extent that any regulation by a municipality or county,
23including a home rule unit, is less stringent than the
24standards established under this Act, it is superseded by this

 

 

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1Act. This Section is a limitation under subsection (i) of
2Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the
3concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions
4exercised by the State.
 
5    Section 105. Notification of law enforcement. Prior to a
6repossession, the licensed repossession agency or repossession
7agency employee must notify the appropriate law enforcement
8agency located in the jurisdiction in which the licensed
9repossession agency or repossession agency employee plans to
10perform the repossession. Upon completion of the repossession,
11the licensed repossession agency or repossession agency
12employee must notify the appropriate law enforcement agency
13that the repossession has occurred within its jurisdiction.
 
14    Section 110. Repossession of vehicles.
15    (a) With regard to collateral subject to a security
16agreement, repossession occurs when the licensed repossession
17agency employee gains entry into the collateral, the collateral
18becomes connected to a tow vehicle, or the licensed
19repossession agency employee has physical care, custody, or
20control of the collateral.
21    (b) The licensed repossession agency shall confirm with the
22legal owner of a recovered vehicle whether the legal owner
23holds a security interest in the personal effects or other
24property contained in or on the recovered vehicle.

 

 

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1    (c) If personal effects or other property not covered by a
2security agreement are contained in or on a recovered vehicle
3at the time it is recovered, then the personal effects and
4other property not covered by a security agreement must be
5completely and accurately inventoried, and a record of the
6inventory shall be maintained on file with the licensed
7repossession agency for a period of 2 years following the date
8of repossession. The licensed repossession agency shall hold
9all personal effects and other property not covered by a
10security agreement until the licensed repossession agency
11either returns the personal effects and other property to the
12debtor or disposes of the personal effects and other property
13in accordance with this Section.
14    (d) Within 5 working days following the date of
15repossession, the licensed repossession agency shall give
16written notification to the debtor of the whereabouts of
17personal effects or other property inventoried. At least 45
18days prior to disposing of such personal effects or other
19property, the licensed repossession agency shall, by United
20States Postal Service proof of mailing or certified mail,
21notify the debtor of the intent to dispose of the property.
22Should the debtor, or his or her lawful designee, appear to
23retrieve the personal property prior to the date on which the
24licensed repossession agency is allowed to dispose of the
25property, the licensed repossession agency shall surrender the
26personal property to that individual upon payment of any

 

 

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1reasonably incurred expenses for inventory and storage.
2    (e) If personal property is not claimed within 45 days of
3the notice of intent to dispose, then the licensed repossession
4agency may dispose of the personal property at its discretion,
5except that illegal items or contraband shall be surrendered to
6a law enforcement agency, and the licensed repossession agency
7shall retain a receipt or other proof of surrender as part of
8the inventory and disposal records it maintains. The inventory
9of the personal property and the records regarding any disposal
10of personal property shall be maintained for a period of 2
11years in the permanent records of the licensed repossession
12agency and shall be made available upon request to the
13Commission.
 
14    Section 115. Deposit of fees and fines. All of the fees and
15fines collected under this Act shall be deposited into the
16Transportation Regulatory Fund and, subject to appropriation,
17may be used by the Commission for the administration of this
18Act.
 
19    Section 120. Payments; penalty for insufficient funds. Any
20person or entity who delivers a check or other payment to the
21Commission that is returned to the Commission unpaid by the
22financial institution upon which it is drawn shall pay to the
23Commission, in addition to the amount already owed to the
24Commission, a fine amount as determined by the Commission. The

 

 

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1fines imposed by this Section are in addition to any other
2discipline provided under this Act prohibiting unlicensed or
3unregistered practice or practice on a nonrenewed license or
4recovery permit. The Commission shall notify the person or
5entity that fees and fines shall be paid to the Commission by
6certified check or money order within 30 calendar days after
7notification. If, after the expiration of 30 days from the date
8of notification, the person or entity has failed to submit the
9necessary remittance, then the Commission shall automatically
10terminate the license or recovery permit or deny the
11application without hearing. If, after termination or denial,
12the person seeks a license or recovery permit, then the person
13or entity shall apply to the Commission for restoration or
14issuance of the license or recovery permit and pay all fees and
15fines due to the Commission. The Commission may establish a fee
16for the processing of an application for restoration of a
17license or recovery permit to pay all expenses of processing
18the application. The Commission may waive the fines due under
19this Section in individual cases where the Commission finds
20that the fines would be unreasonable or unnecessarily
21burdensome.
 
22    Section 125. Filings, formal complaints. All repossession
23activity correspondence relating to complaints and alleged
24violations of this Act shall be submitted to the Commission in
25writing on forms and in a manner prescribed by the Commission.
 

 

 

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1    Section 130. Roster. The Commission shall maintain a
2roster of names and addresses of all persons who hold valid
3licenses and recovery permits and all persons whose licenses or
4recovery permits have been suspended or revoked within the
5previous year.
 
6    Section 135. Violations; injunctions; cease and desist
7order.
8    (a) If any person or entity violates a provision of this
9Act, then the Commission may, in the name of the People of the
10State of Illinois, through the Attorney General of the State of
11Illinois, petition for an order enjoining the violation or for
12an order enforcing compliance with this Act. Upon the filing of
13a verified petition in court, the court may issue a temporary
14restraining order, without notice or bond, and may
15preliminarily and permanently enjoin the violation. If it is
16established that the person or entity has violated or is
17violating the injunction, the court may punish the offender for
18contempt of court. Proceedings under this Section are in
19addition to, and not in lieu of, all other remedies and
20penalties provided by this Act.
21    (b) If any person or entity practices as a repossession
22agency or a recovery manager or holds himself, herself, or
23itself out as such without having a valid license or recovery
24permit under this Act, then any license holder or recovery

 

 

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1permit holder, any person injured thereby, or any resident of
2or legal entity within the State may, in addition to the
3Commission, petition for relief as provided in subsection (a)
4of this Section.
5    (c) Whenever, in the opinion of the Commission, any person
6or entity violates any provision of this Act, the Commission
7may issue a rule to show cause why an order to cease and desist
8should not be entered against that person or entity. The rule
9shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the
10Commission and shall provide a period of 7 days from the date
11of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the
12Commission. Failure to answer to the satisfaction of the
13Commission shall cause an order to cease and desist to be
14issued immediately.
 
15    Section 140. Investigation; notice and hearing. The
16Commission may investigate the actions or qualifications of any
17person or entity holding or claiming to hold a license or
18recovery permit. The Commission may take any immediate
19disciplinary action that the Commission may deem proper if a
20person or entity repossesses a vehicle or collateral in the
21State without a valid license and permit. For all other
22disciplinary actions against a license or recovery permit
23holder, the Commission shall (i) notify the accused in writing
24of any charges made and the time and place for a hearing on the
25charges at least 30 days before the date set for the hearing,

 

 

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1(ii) direct the accused to file a written answer to the charges
2under oath within 20 days after the service on the person or
3entity of such notice, and (iii) inform the accused that
4failure to file an answer shall result in a default judgment
5against the person or entity and the person's or entity's
6license or recovery permit may be suspended, revoked, placed on
7probationary status, or other disciplinary action taken with
8regard to the license or recovery permit as the Commission may
9deem proper.
10    In case the person or entity, after receiving notice, fails
11to file an answer, the person's or entity's license or recovery
12permit may, in the discretion of the Commission, be suspended,
13revoked, placed on probationary status, or the Commission, may
14take whatever disciplinary action it deems proper, including
15the imposition of a fine, without a hearing, if the act or acts
16charged constitute sufficient grounds for such action under
17this Act. This written notice and any notice in the subsequent
18proceedings may be served by personal delivery to the accused,
19or by registered or certified mail to the address last
20specified by the accused in the last notification to the
21Commission.
22    The written answer shall be served by personal delivery,
23certified delivery, or certified or registered mail to the
24Commission. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the
25Commission shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or
26their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present

 

 

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1such statements, testimony, evidence, and argument as may be
2pertinent to the charges or to the defense thereto. The
3Commission may continue such hearing from time to time. At the
4discretion of the Commission, the accused person's or entity's
5license or recovery permit may be suspended or revoked, if the
6evidence constitutes sufficient grounds for such action under
7this Act.
 
8    Section 145. Record of proceeding. The Commission, at its
9expense, shall preserve a record of all proceedings at the
10formal hearing of any case. The notice of hearing, complaint
11and all other documents in the nature of pleadings and written
12motions filed in the proceedings, the transcript of testimony,
13and orders of the Commission shall be in the record of the
14proceedings.
 
15    Section 150. Subpoenas; oaths; attendance of witnesses.
16The Commission has the power to subpoena and to bring before it
17any person and to take testimony either orally or by
18deposition, or both, with the same fees and mileage and in the
19same manner as is prescribed in civil cases in the courts of
20this State. The Commission and the designated hearing officer
21have the power to administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing
22that the Commission is authorized to conduct and any other
23oaths authorized in any Act administered by the Commission. Any
24circuit court may, upon application of the Commission or its

 

 

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1designee or of the applicant, license holder, or recovery
2permit holder against whom proceedings under this Act are
3pending, enter an order requiring the attendance of witnesses
4and their testimony, and the production of documents, papers,
5files, books, and records in connection with any hearing or
6investigation. The court may compel obedience to its order by
7proceedings for contempt.
 
8    Section 155. Recommendations for disciplinary action. At
9the conclusion of the hearing, the Commission shall prepare a
10written report of its findings and recommendations. The report
11shall contain a finding whether or not the accused person or
12entity violated this Act or failed to comply with the
13conditions required in this Act. The finding is not admissible
14in evidence against the person in a criminal prosecution
15brought for the violation of this Act, but the hearing and
16finding are not a bar to a criminal prosecution brought for the
17violation of this Act.
 
18    Section 160. Rehearing. In any hearing involving
19disciplinary action against a license holder or recovery permit
20holder, a copy of the Commission's report shall be served upon
21the respondent by the Commission, either personally or as
22provided in this Act for the service of the notice of hearing.
23Within 20 calendar days after service, the respondent may
24present to the Commission a motion in writing for a rehearing

 

 

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1that shall specify the particular grounds for rehearing. If no
2motion for rehearing is filed, then upon the expiration of the
3time specified for filing a motion, or if a motion for
4rehearing is denied, then upon denial, the Commission may enter
5an order in accordance with its own recommendations except as
6provided in this Act. If the respondent orders from the
7reporting service, and pays for, a transcript of the record
8within the time for filing a motion for rehearing, then the 20
9calendar day period within which a motion may be filed shall
10commence upon the delivery of the transcript to the respondent.
 
11    Section 165. Appointment of a hearing officer. The
12Commission has the authority to appoint any attorney duly
13licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois to serve as
14the hearing officer in any action for refusal to issue or renew
15a license or recovery permit or to discipline a license holder
16or recovery permit holder. The hearing officer has full
17authority to conduct the hearing. The hearing officer shall
18report his or her findings and recommendations to the
19Commission. The Commission has 60 calendar days from receipt of
20the report to review the report of the hearing officer. If the
21Commission disagrees with the recommendation of the hearing
22officer, then the Commission may issue an order in
23contravention of the recommendation.
 
24    Section 170. Hearing by other examiner. Whenever the

 

 

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1Commission is not satisfied that substantial justice has been
2done in revoking or suspending a license or recovery permit, or
3refusing to issue or renew a license or recovery permit, the
4Commission may order a rehearing by the same or other
5examiners.
 
6    Section 175. Order; certified copy. An order or a
7certified copy thereof, over the seal of the Commission, shall
8be prima facie proof:
9    (a) that the seal is the genuine seal of the Commission;
10and
11    (b) that the Commission is duly appointed and qualified.
 
12    Section 180. Restoration. At any time after the suspension
13or revocation of any license or recovery permit, the Commission
14may restore the license or recovery permit to the accused
15person, unless after an investigation and a hearing the
16Commission determines that restoration is not in the public
17interest.
 
18    Section 185. License and recovery permit surrender. Upon
19the revocation or suspension of any license or recovery permit,
20the license holder or recovery permit holder shall immediately
21surrender the license or recovery permit to the Commission. If
22the license holder or recovery permit holder fails to do so,
23then the Commission has the right to seize the license or

 

 

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1recovery permit.
 
2    Section 190. Summary suspension. The Commission may
3summarily suspend the license of a repossession agency, the
4license of a recovery manager, or the recovery permit of an
5employee without a hearing, simultaneously with the
6institution of proceedings for a hearing provided for in this
7Act, if the Commission finds that evidence in its possession
8indicates that a repossession agency's, recovery manager's, or
9employee's continuation in the business of collateral recovery
10would constitute an imminent danger to the public. In the event
11that the Commission summarily suspends a license or recovery
12permit without a hearing, a hearing by the Commission must be
13held within 30 calendar days after the suspension has occurred.
 
14    Section 195. Judicial review. All final administrative
15decisions of the Commission are subject to judicial review
16under the Administrative Review Law and its rules. The term
17"administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the
18Code of Civil Procedure. Proceedings for judicial review shall
19be commenced in the circuit court of the county in which the
20party applying for review resides; but if the party is not a
21resident of this State, the venue shall be in Sangamon County.
 
22    Section 200. Certification of records. The Commission
23shall not be required to certify any record to the court or

 

 

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1file any answer in court or otherwise appear in any court in a
2judicial review proceeding, unless there is filed in the court,
3with the complaint, a receipt from the Commission acknowledging
4payment of the costs of furnishing and certifying the record.
5Failure on the part of the plaintiff to file such a receipt in
6court shall be grounds for dismissal of the action.
 
7    Section 205. Violations; criminal penalties. Any person
8who is found to have violated any provision of this Act is
9guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense, and a
10Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense.
 
11    Section 210. Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The
12Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is expressly adopted and
13incorporated in this Act as if all of the provisions of that
14Act were included in this Act, except that the provision of
15paragraph (d) of Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative
16Procedure Act, which provides that at hearings the license
17holder has the right to show compliance with all lawful
18requirements for retention, continuation, or renewal of the
19license, is specifically excluded. For the purpose of this Act,
20the notice required under Section 10-25 of the Illinois
21Administrative Procedure Act is deemed sufficient when mailed
22to the last known address of a party.
 
23    Section 215. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by adding

 

 

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1Section 4.32 as follows:
 
2    (5 ILCS 80/4.32 new)
3    Sec. 4.32. Act repealed on January 1, 2022. The following
4Act is repealed on January 1, 2022:
5    The Collateral Recovery Act.
 
6    Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect on July
71, 2012.