§ 5-65 — Remedies

Whenever it appears to the Secretary of State that any person has engaged in or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this Law or any rule, regulation, or order under this Law, the Secretary of State may: (1) Issue an order, anything contained in this Law to the contrary notwithstanding, directing the person to cease and desist from continuing the act or practice. Any person named in a cease and desist order issued by the Secretary of State may, within 30 days after the date of the entry of the order, file a written request for a hearing with the Secretary of State. If the Secretary of State does not receive a written request for a hearing within the time specified, the cease and desist order will be permanent and the person named in the order will be deemed to have waived all rights to a hearing. If a hearing is requested, the order will remain in force until it is modified, vacated, rescinded or expunged by the Secretary of State. (1.5) Prohibit or suspend the offer or sale of any business opportunity, prohibit or suspend any person from offering or selling any business opportunities, impose any fine for violation of this Law, issue an order of public censure, or enter into an agreed settlement or stipulation. No such order may be entered without appropriate prior notice to all interested parties, opportunity for hearing, and written findings of fact and conclusions of law. (2) Bring an action in the circuit court of any county to enjoin the acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this Law or any rule, regulation, or order under this Law. Upon a proper showing a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or writ of mandamus shall be granted and a receiver or conservator may be appointed for the defendant or the defendant's assets or the court may order rescission, which shall include restitution plus the legal interest rate, for any sales of business opportunities determined to be unlawful under this Law or any rule, regulation, or order under this Law. The court shall not require the Secretary of State to post a bond. (3) The Secretary of State may refer such evidence as may be available concerning violations of this Law or any rule, regulation, or order under this Law to the Attorney General or the appropriate State's Attorney, who may, with or without such a reference, institute the appropriate proceedings under this Section. (4) In addition to any other sanction or remedy contained in this Section, the Secretary of State, after finding that any provision of this Law has been violated, may impose a fine as provided by rule or order against the violator not to exceed $10,000 per violation, may issue an order of public censure against the violator, and charge as costs of the investigation all reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees and witness fees. (5) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Secretary of State, after notice and opportunity for hearing, may at his or her discretion enter into an agreed settlement, stipulation, or consent order with a respondent in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The provisions of the agreed settlement, stipulation, or consent order shall have the full force and effect of an order issued by the Secretary of State. (6) The action of the Secretary of State in denying, suspending, or revoking the registration of a business opportunity, in prohibiting or suspending a person from offering or selling business opportunities, in prohibiting or suspending the offer or sale of business opportunities, in imposing any fine for violation of this Law, or in issuing any order shall be subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law which shall apply to and govern every action for the judicial review of final actions or decisions of the Secretary of State under this Law.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 92-308, eff. 1-1-02.)