(225 ILCS 459/95) Sec. 95. Findings and recommendations. At the conclusion of the hearing, the designated hearing officer shall present to the Secretary a written report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations. The report shall contain a finding whether or not the person charged violated this Act or its rules or failed to comply with the conditions required in this Act or its rules. The hearing officer shall specify the nature of any violations or failure to comply and shall make recommendations to the Secretary. In making recommendations for any disciplinary actions, the hearing officer may take into consideration all facts and circumstances bearing upon the reasonableness of the conduct of the person charged and the potential for future harm to the public, including, but not limited to, previous discipline by the Department, intent, degree of harm to the public and likelihood of harm in the future, any restitution made, and whether the incident or incidents contained in the complaint appear to be isolated or represent a continuing pattern of conduct. In making recommendations for discipline, the hearing officer shall endeavor to ensure that the severity of the discipline recommended is reasonably related to the severity of the violation.
The report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation of the hearing officer shall be the basis for the Department's order refusing to issue, restore, or renew a registration, or otherwise disciplining a person. If the Secretary disagrees with the recommendations of the hearing officer, the Secretary may issue an order in contravention of the hearing officer recommendations. The finding is not admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal prosecution brought for a violation of this Act, but the hearing and finding are not a bar to a criminal prosecution brought for a violation of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 103-236, eff. 1-1-24.) |