Section 1300.245  Agents and Identification Cards

a)         All faculty members shall be required to maintain registration as an agent-in-charge and have a valid agent identification card (ID card) prior to teaching or participating in the licensee's cannabis curriculum that involves instruction offered in the enclosed, locked facility or facilities. [410 ILCS 705/25-20(a)]

b)         Prior to receiving an agent-in-charge or agent ID card, the faculty member must successfully pass a background check pursuant to Section 1300.265.

c)         Each faculty member must apply to the Department for a Community College Cannabis Vocational Pilot Program (CC Program) agent-in-charge or agent ID card for each licensed Cannabis Vocational Pilot Program licensee by which he or she is employed.   

d)         The CC Program agent-in-charge or agent application shall be submitted electronically, and on forms provided by the Department, in accordance with the Act and this Part. The electronic application will include instructions for its completion and submission. The application will include requests for information in support of the application needed by the Department in making its determination. If all materials, documentation and information required by the Act and this Part are not submitted, the application shall be returned to the applicant.

e)         Application Process

Along with the application, the applicant shall submit:

1)         A copy of the applicant's social security card;

2)         A copy of the applicant's valid driver's license or State issued ID card;

3)         A document verifying the applicant's place of residency, such as a bank statement, cancelled check, insurance policy, etc. The document must contain the applicant's full residence address;

4)         Verification from ISP that the applicant's background check has been conducted;

5)         A copy of the applicant's faculty ID card;

6)         Any additional information requested by the Department; and

7)         The required fee of $50.

f)         Upon receipt and verification of the information specified in subsection (e), the Department will:

1)         Approve or deny the application within 30 days after receipt;

2)         Issue each CC Program agent-in-charge or agent ID card, within 15 business days after approval, that shall expire one year after the date of issuance; and

3)         Enter in its record system the registry identification number of the program for which the agent works.

g)         No faculty member shall participate in a licensee's cannabis curriculum that involves instruction offered in the enclosed, locked facility prior to receiving his or her CC Program agent-in-charge or agent ID card.

h)         The CC Program ID card shall contain:

1)         The name of the cardholder;

2)         The date of issuance and expiration date of the ID card;

3)         A random 10-digit alphanumeric identification number containing at least 4 numbers and 4 letters that is unique to the holder;

4)         A photograph of the cardholder; and

5)         The name of the CC Program employing the agent. [410 ILCS 705/25-35(c)]

i)          A CC Program agent-in-charge or agent must keep his or her ID card visible at all times when on the property of an enclosed, locked facility of the licensee. 

j)          Upon termination of employment, the CC Program ID cards shall be immediately returned to the licensee.  The licensee shall promptly return the ID cards to the Department.

k)         Any CC Program agent-in-charge or agent ID card that is lost, destroyed or stolen shall be reported to ISP and the Department immediately upon discovery of the loss, destruction or theft. The fee for the issuance of a replacement ID card shall be $25.

l)          Renewal

1)         CC Program agent-in-charge and agent ID cards shall be renewed annually. The renewal fee shall be $50. The Department will send electronic notice 90 days prior to expiration;

2)         If a CC Program agent-in-charge or agent fails to renew his or her ID card before its expiration, he or she shall cease to work as an agent of the CC Program in the enclosed, locked facility, until the ID card is renewed;

3)         A CC Program agent-in-charge or agent who fails to renew his or her ID card, and continues to act as an agent for the CC Program in the enclosed, locked facility, shall be subject to the penalties outlined in Section 1300.280 and Subpart G (Enforcement and Immunities);

4)         Upon request for renewal, the Department will consider the applicant's history of compliance with the Act and this Part, the number and severity of any violations and the correction of those violations, and penalties or fines imposed or any other enforcement actions;

5)         The Department may deny a renewal after consideration of the applicant's history of compliance;

6)         The Department will not renew a CC Program agent-in-charge or agent ID card if the holder is delinquent in filing any required tax returns or paying any amounts owed to the State of Illinois. [410 ILCS 705/15-95(i)(12)]