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91_HB1805 LRB9102826ACtm 1 AN ACT to create the Auction License Act, amending named 2 Acts. 3 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 4 represented in the General Assembly: 5 ARTICLE 5. GENERAL PROVISIONS 6 Section 5-1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 7 Auction License Act. 8 Section 5-5. Legislative intent. The General Assembly 9 finds that Illinois does not have the ability, without 10 legislation, to enter into reciprocal agreements with other 11 states to allow residents of Illinois to practice 12 auctioneering in other states. This body further finds that, 13 without legislation, Illinois does not have the ability to 14 evaluate the competency of persons engaged in the auction 15 business or to regulate this business for the protection of 16 the public. Therefore, it is the purpose of this Act to 17 license and regulate auctioneers. 18 Section 5-10. Definitions, as used in this Act: 19 "Advertisement" means any written, oral, or electronic 20 communication that contains a promotion, inducement, or offer 21 to conduct an auction or offer to provide an auction service, 22 including but not limited to brochures, pamphlets, radio and 23 television scripts, telephone and direct mail solicitations, 24 electronic media, and other means of promotion. 25 "Advisory Board" means the Auctioneer Advisory Board. 26 "Associate auctioneer" means a person who conducts an 27 auction, but who is under the direct supervision of, and is 28 sponsored by, a licensed auctioneer or auction firm. 29 "Auction" means the sale or lease of property, real or -2- LRB9102826ACtm 1 personal, by means of exchanges between an auctioneer or 2 associate auctioneer and prospective purchasers or lessees, 3 which consists of a series of invitations for offers made by 4 the auctioneer or associate auctioneer and offers by 5 prospective purchasers or lessees for the purpose of 6 obtaining an acceptable offer for the sale or lease of the 7 property. 8 "Auction contract" means a written agreement between an 9 auctioneer, associate auctioneer, or an auction firm and a 10 seller or sellers. 11 "Auction firm" means any corporation, partnership, or 12 limited liability company that acts as an auctioneer and 13 provides an auction service. 14 "Auction school" means any educational institution, 15 public or private, which offers a curriculum of auctioneer 16 education and training approved by the Office of Banks and 17 Real Estate. 18 "Auction service" means the service of arranging, 19 managing, advertising, or conducting auctions. 20 "Auctioneer" means a person or entity who, for a fee, 21 compensation, commission, or any other valuable consideration 22 at auction or with the intention or expectation of receiving 23 valuable consideration by the means of or process of an 24 auction or sale at auction or providing an auction service, 25 offers, negotiates, or attempts to negotiate an auction 26 contract, sale, purchase, or exchange of goods, chattels, 27 merchandise, personal property, real property, or any 28 commodity that may be lawfully kept or offered for sale by or 29 at auction. 30 "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Office of 31 Banks and Real Estate or his or her designee. 32 "Director" means the Director of Auction Regulation. 33 "Goods" means chattels, movable goods, merchandise, or 34 personal property or commodities of any form or type that may -3- LRB9102826ACtm 1 be lawfully kept or offered for sale. 2 "Licensee" means any person licensed under this Act. 3 "Managing auctioneer" means any person licensed as an 4 auctioneer who manages and supervises licensees sponsored by 5 an auction firm or auctioneer. 6 "OBRE" means the Office of Banks and Real Estate. 7 "Person" means an individual, association, partnership, 8 corporation, limited liability company or the officers, 9 directors, or employees of the same. 10 "Pre-renewal period" means the 24 months prior to the 11 expiration date of a licensed issued under this Act. 12 "Sponsoring auctioneer" means the auctioneer or auction 13 firm who has issued a sponsor card to a licensed associate 14 auctioneer or auctioneer. 15 "Sponsor card" shall mean the temporary permit issued by 16 the sponsoring auctioneer certifying that the licensee named 17 thereon is employed by or associated with the sponsoring 18 auctioneer and the sponsoring auctioneer shall be responsible 19 for the actions of the sponsored licensee. 20 ARTICLE 10. LICENSING PROVISIONS 21 Section 10-1. Necessity of license; exemptions. It is 22 unlawful for any person, corporation, limited liability 23 company, partnership, or other entity to conduct an auction, 24 provide an auction service, hold himself or herself out as an 25 auctioneer, or advertise his or her services as an auctioneer 26 in the State of Illinois without a license issued by OBRE 27 under this Act, except at: 28 (1) an auction conducted solely by or for a 29 not-for-profit organization for charitable purposes; 30 (2) an auction conducted by the owner of the 31 property, real or personal; and 32 (3) an auction for the sale or lease of real -4- LRB9102826ACtm 1 property conducted by a licensee under the Real Estate 2 License Act, or its successor Acts, in accordance with 3 the terms of that Act. 4 Section 10-5. Requirements for auctioneer license; 5 application. Every person who desires to obtain an 6 auctioneer license under this Act shall: 7 (1) apply to OBRE on forms provided by OBRE 8 accompanied by the required fee; 9 (2) be at least 18 years of age; 10 (3) have attained a high school diploma or 11 successfully completed an equivalent course of study 12 determined by an examination conducted by the Illinois 13 State Board of Education; 14 (4) personally take and pass a written examination 15 authorized by OBRE to prove competence, including but not 16 limited to general knowledge of Illinois and federal laws 17 pertaining to personal property contracts, auctions, real 18 property, relevant provisions of Article 4 of the Uniform 19 Commercial Code, ethics, and other topics relating to the 20 auction business; and 21 (5) submit to OBRE a properly completed 45-Day 22 Permit Sponsor Card on forms provided by OBRE. 23 Section 10-15. Requirements for associate auctioneer 24 license; application. Every person who desires to obtain an 25 associate auctioneer license under this Act shall: 26 (1) apply to OBRE on forms provided by OBRE 27 accompanied by the required fee; 28 (2) be at least 18 years of age; 29 (3) have attained a high school diploma or 30 successfully completed an equivalent course of study 31 determined by an examination conducted by the Illinois 32 State Board of Education; -5- LRB9102826ACtm 1 (4) personally take and pass a written examination 2 authorized by OBRE to prove competence, including but not 3 limited to general knowledge of Illinois and federal laws 4 pertaining to personal property contracts, auctions, real 5 property, relevant provisions of Article 4 of the Uniform 6 Commercial Code, ethics, and other topics relating to the 7 auction business; and 8 (5) submit to OBRE a properly completed 45-day 9 permit sponsor card on forms provided by OBRE. 10 Section 10-20. Requirements for auction firm license; 11 application. Any corporation, limited liability company, or 12 partnership who desires to obtain an auction firm license 13 shall: 14 (1) apply to OBRE on forms provided by OBRE 15 accompanied by the required fee; and 16 (2) provide evidence to OBRE that the auction firm 17 has a properly licensed managing auctioneer. 18 Section 10-25. Practice prior to this Act. A person who 19 has actively and lawfully practiced as an auctioneer in the 20 State of Illinois prior to the effective date of this Act may 21 obtain an auctioneer or associate auctioneer license without 22 examination provided he or she: 23 (1) is a resident of the State of Illinois; 24 (2) applies to OBRE and pays required the fees 25 within 6 months after the effective date of this Act; 26 (3) verifies that he or she has practiced as an 27 auctioneer for a period of at least 2 years prior to the 28 effective date of this Act; and 29 (4) verifies that he or she has conducted a minimum 30 of 5 auctions of real or personal property within the 2 31 years prior to the effective date of this Act. -6- LRB9102826ACtm 1 Section 10-30. Expiration, renewal, and continuing 2 education. 3 (a) A license issued under this Act shall expire every 2 4 years beginning on September 30, 2001. The OBRE shall issue 5 a renewal license without examination to an applicant upon 6 submission of a completed renewal application and payment of 7 the required fee. 8 (b) The OBRE shall develop a program for continuing 9 education as established in Article 25 of this Act. No 10 auctioneer or associate auctioneer shall receive a renewal 11 license without completing 12 hours of approved continuing 12 education course work during the pre-renewal period prior to 13 the expiration date of the license from continuing education 14 schools that are approved by the OBRE, as established in 15 Article 25 of this Act. The applicant shall verify on the 16 application that he or she: 17 (1) has complied with the continuing education 18 requirements; or 19 (2) is exempt from the continuing education 20 requirements because it is his or her first renewal and 21 he or she was initially licensed as an auctioneer or 22 associate auctioneer during the pre-renewal period prior 23 to the expiration date. 24 (c) A renewal applicant may request a waiver of the 25 continuing education requirements under subsection (d) of 26 this Section, but shall not practice as an auctioneer or 27 associate auctioneer until such waiver is granted and a 28 renewal license is issued. 29 (d) The Commissioner, with the recommendation of the 30 Advisory Board, may grant a renewal applicant a waiver from 31 all or part of the continuing education requirements for the 32 pre-renewal period if the applicant was not able to fulfill 33 the requirements as a result of the following conditions: 34 (1) Service in the armed forces of the United -7- LRB9102826ACtm 1 States during a substantial part of the pre-renewal 2 period. 3 (2) Service as an elected State or federal 4 official. 5 (3) Service as a full-time employee of the OBRE. 6 (4) Other extreme circumstances as recommended by 7 the Advisory Board. 8 Section 10-35. Completed 45-day permit sponsor card; 9 termination by sponsoring auctioneer; inoperative status. 10 (a) No auctioneer or associate auctioneer shall conduct 11 an auction or provide an auction service without being 12 properly sponsored by a licensed auctioneer or auction firm. 13 (b) The sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm 14 shall prepare upon forms provided by the OBRE and deliver to 15 each auctioneer or associate auctioneer employed by or 16 associated with the sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring 17 auction firm a properly completed duplicate 45-day permit 18 sponsor card certifying that the person whose name appears 19 thereon is in fact employed by or associated with said 20 sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm. The 21 sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm shall send 22 the original 45-day permit sponsor card, along with a valid 23 terminated license or other authorization as provided by rule 24 and the appropriate fee, to the OBRE within 24 hours after 25 the issuance of the sponsor card. It is a violation of this 26 Act for any sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm 27 to issue a sponsor card to any auctioneer, associate 28 auctioneer, or applicant, unless the auctioneer, associate 29 auctioneer, or applicant presents in hand a valid terminated 30 license or other authorization, as provided by rule. 31 (c) An auctioneer may be self-sponsored or may be 32 sponsored by another licensed auctioneer or auction firm. 33 (d) An associate auctioneer must be sponsored by a -8- LRB9102826ACtm 1 licensed auctioneer or auction firm. 2 (e) When an auctioneer or associate auctioneer 3 terminates his or her employment or association with a 4 sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm or the 5 employment or association is terminated by the sponsoring 6 auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm, the terminated 7 licensee shall obtain from that sponsoring auctioneer or 8 sponsoring auction firm his or her license endorsed by the 9 sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm indicating 10 the termination. The terminating sponsoring auctioneer or 11 sponsoring auction firm shall send a copy of the terminated 12 license within 5 days after the termination to the OBRE or 13 shall notify the OBRE in writing of the termination and 14 explain why a copy of the terminated license was not 15 surrendered. 16 (f) The license of any auctioneer or associate 17 auctioneer whose association with a sponsoring auctioneer or 18 sponsoring auction firm has terminated shall automatically 19 become inoperative immediately upon such termination, unless 20 the terminated licensee accepts employment or becomes 21 associated with a new sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring 22 auction firm pursuant to subsection (g) of this Section. An 23 inoperative licensee under this Act shall not conduct an 24 auction or provide auction services while the license is in 25 inoperative status. 26 (g) When a terminated or inoperative auctioneer or 27 associate auctioneer accepts employment or becomes associated 28 with a new sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm, 29 the new sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm 30 shall send to the OBRE a properly completed 45-day permit 31 sponsor card, the terminated license, and the appropriate 32 fee. 33 Section 10-40. Restoration. -9- LRB9102826ACtm 1 (a) A licensee whose license has lapsed or expired shall 2 have 2 years from the expiration date to restore his or her 3 license without examination. The expired licensee shall make 4 application to the OBRE on forms provided by the OBRE, 5 including a properly completed 45-day permit sponsor card, 6 provide evidence of successful completion of 12 hours of 7 approved continuing education during the period of time the 8 license had lapsed, and pay all lapsed fees and penalties as 9 established by administrative rule. 10 (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act to 11 the contrary, any licensee whose license under this Act has 12 expired is eligible to restore such license without paying 13 any lapsed fees and penalties provided that the license 14 expired while the licensee was: 15 (1) on active duty with the United States Army, 16 United State Marine Corps, United States Navy, United 17 States Air Force, United States Coast Guard, the State 18 Militia called into service or training; 19 (2) engaged in training or education under the 20 supervision of the United States prior to induction into 21 military service; or 22 (3) serving as an employee of the OBRE, while the 23 employee was required to surrender his or her license due 24 to a possible conflict of interest. 25 A licensee shall be eligible to restore a license under 26 the provisions of this subsection for a period of 2 years 27 following the termination of the service, education, or 28 training by providing a properly completed application and 29 45-day permit sponsor card, provided that the termination 30 was by other than dishonorable discharge and provided that 31 the licensee furnishes the OBRE with an affidavit specifying 32 that the licensee has been so engaged. 33 (c) At any time after the suspension, revocation, 34 placement on probationary status, or other disciplinary -10- LRB9102826ACtm 1 action taken under this Act with reference to any license, 2 the OBRE may restore the license to the licensee without 3 examination upon the order of the Commissioner, if the 4 licensee submits a properly completed application and 45-day 5 permit sponsor card, pays appropriate fees, and otherwise 6 complies with the conditions of the order. 7 Section 10-45. Nonresident auctioneer reciprocity. 8 (a) A person holding a license to engage in auctions 9 issued to him or her by the proper authority of a state, 10 territory, or possession of the United States of America or 11 the District of Columbia that has licensing requirements 12 equal to or substantially equivalent to the requirements of 13 this State and that otherwise meets the requirements of this 14 Act may obtain a license under this Act without examination, 15 provided: 16 (1) that the OBRE has entered into a valid 17 reciprocal agreement with the proper authority of the 18 state, territory, or possession of the United States of 19 America or the District of Columbia from which the 20 nonresident applicant has a valid license; 21 (2) that the applicant provides the OBRE with a 22 certificate of good standing from the applicant's 23 resident state; 24 (3) that the applicant completes and submits an 25 application as provided by the OBRE; and 26 (4) that the applicant pays all applicable fees 27 required under this Act. 28 (b) A nonresident applicant shall file an irrevocable 29 consent with the OBRE that actions may be commenced against 30 the applicant or nonresident licensee in a court of competent 31 jurisdiction in this State by the service of summons, 32 process, or other pleading authorized by the law upon the 33 Commissioner. The consent shall stipulate and agree that -11- LRB9102826ACtm 1 service of the process, summons, or pleading upon the 2 Commissioner shall be taken and held in all courts to be 3 valid and binding as if actual service had been made upon the 4 applicant in Illinois. If a summons, process, or other 5 pleading is served upon the Commissioner, it shall be by 6 duplicate copies, one of which shall be retained by the OBRE 7 and the other immediately forwarded by certified or 8 registered mail to the last known business address of the 9 applicant or nonresident licensee against whom the summons, 10 process, or other pleading may be directed. 11 Section 10-50. Fees. The OBRE shall provide by 12 administrative rule for fees to be paid by applicants, 13 licensees, and schools to cover the reasonable costs of the 14 OBRE in administering and enforcing the provisions of this 15 Act. The OBRE shall provide by administrative rule for fees 16 to be collected from licensees and applicants to cover the 17 statutory requirements for funding the Auctioneer Recovery 18 Fund. The OBRE may also provide by administrative rule for 19 general fees to cover the reasonable expenses of carrying out 20 other functions and responsibilities under this Act. 21 ARTICLE 15. BUSINESS PRACTICES PROVISIONS 22 Section 15-5. Representations. An auctioneer, associate 23 auctioneer, or auction firm or the sponsored licensees, 24 agents, or employees of an auctioneer or auction firm, 25 conducting an auction or providing an auction service shall 26 not: 27 (1) misrepresent a fact material to a purchaser's 28 decision to buy at or by auction; 29 (2) predict specific or immediate increases in the 30 value of any item offered for sale at auction; or 31 (3) materially misrepresent the qualities or -12- LRB9102826ACtm 1 characteristics of any item offered for sale at auction. 2 Section 15-10. Auction contract. Any auctioneer, 3 associate auctioneer, or auction firm shall not conduct an 4 auction or provide an auction service, unless the auctioneer, 5 associate auctioneer, or auction firm enters into a written 6 auction contract with the seller of any property at auction 7 prior to the date of the auction. The agreement shall be 8 signed by the auctioneer, associate auctioneer, or auction 9 firm conducting an auction or providing an auction service 10 and the seller or sellers, or the legal agent of the seller 11 or sellers of the property to be offered at or by auction, 12 and shall include, but not be limited to the following 13 disclosures: 14 (1) Licensees shall disclose: 15 (A) the name, license number, business 16 address, and phone number of the auctioneer, 17 associate auctioneer, or auction firm conducting an 18 auction or providing an auction service; 19 (B) the fee to be paid to the auctioneer, 20 associate auctioneer, or auction firm for conducting 21 an auction or providing an auction service; and 22 (C) an estimate of the advertising costs that 23 shall be paid by the seller or sellers of property 24 at auction and a disclosure that, if the actual 25 advertising costs exceeds 120% of the estimated 26 advertising cost, the auctioneer, associate 27 auctioneer, or auction firm shall pay the 28 advertising costs that exceed 120% of the estimated 29 advertising costs or shall have the seller or 30 sellers agree in writing to pay for the actual 31 advertising costs in excess of 120% of the estimated 32 advertising costs. 33 (2) Sellers shall disclose: -13- LRB9102826ACtm 1 (A) the name, address, and phone number of the 2 seller or sellers or the legal agent of the seller 3 or sellers of property to be sold at auction; and 4 (B) any mortgage, lien, or encumbrance of 5 which the seller has knowledge on any property or 6 goods to be sold or leased at or by auction. 7 Section 15-15. Supervisory duties. The sponsoring 8 auctioneer, auction firm, and managing auctioneer shall have 9 the duty and responsibility to supervise, manage, and control 10 any sponsored licensee, agent, or employee while conducting 11 an auction or providing an auction service. Any violation of 12 this Act by a sponsored licensee, agent, or employee of a 13 sponsoring auctioneer, auction firm, or managing auctioneer 14 shall be deemed to be a violation by the sponsoring 15 auctioneer, auction firm, or managing auctioneer as well as 16 by the sponsored licensee, agent, or employee. 17 Section 15-20. Associate auctioneer. An associate 18 auctioneer shall not conduct an auction or provide an auction 19 service without the proper supervision of a licensed 20 auctioneer or receive compensation for conducting an auction 21 other than from a licensed auctioneer or auction firm. An 22 associate auctioneer shall not work for or receive 23 compensation from another auctioneer or an auction firm other 24 than his or her sponsoring auctioneer or sponsoring auction 25 firm without the written consent of his or her sponsoring 26 auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm. The sponsoring 27 auctioneer or sponsoring auction firm and managing auctioneer 28 shall be responsible for the actions of any sponsored 29 associate auctioneer while conducting an auction or providing 30 an auction service. 31 Section 15-25. Auction firm. No corporation, limited -14- LRB9102826ACtm 1 liability company, or partnership shall be licensed without 2 being managed by a licensed auctioneer. The managing 3 auctioneer of any auction firm shall be responsible for the 4 actions of all licensed and unlicensed employees, agents, and 5 representatives of said auction firm while the firm is 6 conducting an auction or providing an auction service. 7 ARTICLE 20. DISCIPLINARY PROVISIONS 8 Section 20-5. Unlicensed practice; civil penalty. 9 (a) Any person who practices, offers to practice, 10 attempts to practice, or holds oneself out to practice as an 11 auctioneer, an associate auctioneer, an auction firm, or any 12 other licensee under this Act without being licensed under 13 this Act shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by 14 law, pay a civil fine to OBRE in an amount not to exceed 15 $10,000 for each offense as determined by the OBRE. The 16 civil fine shall be assessed by the OBRE after a hearing is 17 held in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act 18 regarding a hearing for the discipline of a license. 19 (b) The OBRE has the authority and power to investigate 20 any and all unlicensed activity pursuant to this Act. 21 (c) The civil fine shall be paid within 60 days after 22 the effective date of the order imposing the civil fine. The 23 order shall constitute a judgement and may be filed and 24 execution had thereon in the same manner from any court of 25 record. 26 (d) Conducting an auction or providing an auction 27 service in Illinois without holding a valid and current 28 license under this Act is declared to be adverse to the 29 public welfare, to constitute a public nuisance, and to cause 30 irreparable harm to the public welfare. The Commissioner, 31 the Attorney General, the State's Attorney of any county in 32 the State, or any other person may maintain an action in the -15- LRB9102826ACtm 1 name of the People of the State of Illinois and may apply for 2 injunctive relief in any circuit court to enjoin the person 3 or entity from engaging in such practice. 4 Upon the filing of a verified petition in a circuit 5 court, the court, if satisfied by affidavit or otherwise that 6 the person or entity has been engaged in the practice of 7 auctioning without a valid and current license, may enter a 8 temporary restraining order without notice or bond enjoining 9 the defendant from further practice. Only the showing of 10 non-licensure, by affidavit or otherwise, is necessary in 11 order for a temporary injunction to be issued. A copy of the 12 verified complaint shall be served upon the defendant and the 13 proceedings shall thereafter be conducted as in other civil 14 cases except as modified by this Section. If it is 15 established that the defendant has been or is engaged in 16 unlawful practice, the court may enter an order or judgment 17 perpetually enjoining the defendant from further practice. 18 In all proceedings hereunder, the court, in its discretion, 19 may apportion the costs among the parties interested in the 20 action, including cost of filing the complaint, service of 21 process, witness fees and expenses, court reporter charges, 22 and reasonable attorneys' fees. In case of violation of any 23 injunctive order entered under the provisions of this 24 Section, the court may summarily try and punish the offender 25 for contempt of court. These injunction proceedings shall be 26 in addition to, and not in lieu of, all penalties and other 27 remedies provided in this Act. 28 Section 20-10. Violations. The commission of a single 29 act prohibited by this Act or prohibited by the rules 30 promulgated under this Act or a violation of a disciplinary 31 order issued under this Act constitutes a violation of this 32 Act. -16- LRB9102826ACtm 1 Section 20-15. Disciplinary actions; grounds. The OBRE 2 may refuse to issue or renew a license, may place on 3 probation or administrative supervision, suspend, or revoke 4 any license or may reprimand or otherwise discipline or 5 impose a civil fine not to exceed $10,000 upon any licensee 6 hereunder for any one or any combination of the following 7 causes: 8 (1) False or fraudulent representation or material 9 misstatement in furnishing information to the OBRE in 10 obtaining or seeking to obtain a license. 11 (2) Violation of any provision of this Act or the 12 rules promulgated pursuant to this Act. 13 (3) Conviction of any crime, an essential element 14 of which is dishonesty or fraud, or larceny, 15 embezzlement, or obtaining money, property, or credit by 16 false pretenses or by means of a confidence game, 17 conviction in this or another state of a crime that is a 18 felony under the laws of this State, or conviction of a 19 felony in a federal court. 20 (4) Being adjudged to be a person under legal 21 disability or subject to involuntary admission or to meet 22 the standard for judicial admission as provided in the 23 Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. 24 (5) Discipline of a licensee by another state, the 25 District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, a 26 foreign nation, a governmental agency, or any other 27 entity authorized to impose discipline if at least one of 28 the grounds for that discipline is the same as or the 29 equivalent to one of the grounds for discipline set forth 30 in this Act or for failing to report to the OBRE, within 31 30 days, any adverse final action taken against the 32 licensee by any other licensing jurisdiction, government 33 agency, law enforcement agency, or court, or liability 34 for conduct that would constitute grounds for action as -17- LRB9102826ACtm 1 set forth in this Act. 2 (6) Engaging in the practice of auctioneering, 3 conducting an auction, or providing an auction service 4 without a license or after the license was expired, 5 revoked, suspended, or terminated or while the license 6 was inoperative. 7 (7) Attempting to subvert or cheat on the 8 auctioneer exam or any continuing education exam, or 9 aiding or abetting another to do the same. 10 (8) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving 11 from a person, firm, corporation, partnership, or 12 association a fee, commission, rebate, or other form of 13 compensation for professional service not actually or 14 personally rendered. 15 (9) Making any substantial misrepresentation or 16 untruthful advertising. 17 (10) Making any false promises of a character 18 likely to influence, persuade, or induce. 19 (11) Pursuing a continued and flagrant course of 20 misrepresentation or the making of false promises through 21 a licensee, agent, employee, advertising, or otherwise. 22 (12) Any misleading or untruthful advertising, or 23 using any trade name or insignia of membership in any 24 auctioneer association or organization of which the 25 licensee is not a member. 26 (13) Commingling funds of others with his or her 27 own funds or failing to keep the funds of others in an 28 escrow or trustee account. 29 (14) Failure to account for, remit, or return any 30 moneys, property, or documents coming into his or her 31 possession that belong to others, acquired through the 32 practice of auctioneering, conducting an auction, or 33 providing an auction service within 30 days of the 34 written request from the owner of said moneys, property, -18- LRB9102826ACtm 1 or documents. 2 (15) Failure to maintain and deposit into a special 3 account, separate and apart from any personal or other 4 business accounts, all moneys belonging to others 5 entrusted to a licensee while acting as an auctioneer, 6 associate auctioneer, auction firm, or as a temporary 7 custodian of the funds of others. 8 (16) Failure to make available to OBRE personnel 9 during normal business hours all escrow and trustee 10 records and related documents maintained in connection 11 with the practice of auctioneering, conducting an 12 auction, or providing an auction service within 24 hours 13 after a request from OBRE personnel. 14 (17) Making or filing false records or reports in 15 his or her practice, including but not limited to false 16 records or reports filed with State agencies. 17 (18) Failing to voluntarily furnish copies of all 18 written instruments prepared by the auctioneer and signed 19 by all parties to all parties at the time of execution. 20 (19) Failing to provide information within 30 days 21 in response to a written request made by the OBRE. 22 (20) Engaging in any act that constitutes a 23 violation of Section 2-102, 3-103, or 3- 105 of the 24 Illinois Human Rights Act. 25 (21) Causing a payment from the Auction Recovery 26 Fund. 27 (22) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or 28 unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, 29 defraud, or harm the public. 30 (23) Offering or advertising real estate for sale 31 or lease at auction without a valid broker or 32 salesperson's license under the Real Estate License Act 33 of 1983, or any successor Act, unless exempt from 34 licensure under the terms of the Real Estate License Act -19- LRB9102826ACtm 1 of 1983, or any successor Act. 2 Section 20-20. Termination without hearing for failure 3 to pay taxes, child support, or a student loan. OBRE may 4 terminate or otherwise discipline any license issued under 5 this Act without hearing if the appropriate administering 6 agency provides adequate information and proof that the 7 licensee has: 8 (1) failed to file a return, to pay the tax, 9 penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay 10 any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as 11 required by any tax act administered by the Illinois 12 Department of Revenue until the requirements of the tax 13 act are satisfied; 14 (2) failed to pay any court ordered child support 15 as determined by a court order or by referral from the 16 Illinois Department of Public Aid; or 17 (3) failed to repay any student loan or assistance 18 as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance 19 Commission. If a license is terminated or otherwise 20 disciplined pursuant to this Section, the licensee may 21 request a hearing as provided by this Act within 30 days 22 of notice of termination or discipline. 23 Section 20-25. Investigation. OBRE may investigate the 24 actions or qualifications of any person or persons holding or 25 claiming to hold a license under this Act, who shall 26 hereinafter be called the respondent. 27 Section 20-30. Consent orders. Notwithstanding any 28 provisions concerning the conduct of hearings and 29 recommendations for disciplinary actions, OBRE has the 30 authority to negotiate agreements with licensees and 31 applicants resulting in disciplinary consent orders. The -20- LRB9102826ACtm 1 consent orders may provide for any form of discipline 2 provided for in this Act. The consent orders shall provide 3 that they were not entered into as a result of any coercion 4 by OBRE. Any consent order shall be accepted by or rejected 5 by the Commissioner in a timely manner. 6 Section 20-35. Subpoenas; attendance of witnesses; 7 oaths. 8 (a) OBRE shall have the power to issue subpoenas ad 9 testificandum (subpoena for documents) and to bring before it 10 any persons and to take testimony, either orally or by 11 deposition or both, with the same fees and mileage and in the 12 same manner as prescribed in civil cases in the courts of 13 this State. OBRE shall have the power to issue subpoenas 14 duces tecum and to bring before it any documents, papers, 15 files, books, and records with the same costs and in the same 16 manner as prescribed in civil cases in the courts of this 17 State. 18 (b) Any circuit court may, upon application of OBRE or 19 its designee or of the applicant, licensee, or person holding 20 a certificate of licensure against whom proceedings under 21 this Act are pending, enter an order compelling the 22 enforcement of any OBRE subpoena issued in connection with 23 any hearing or investigation. 24 (c) The Commissioner or his or her designee or the Board 25 shall have power to administer oaths to witnesses at any 26 hearing that OBRE is authorized to conduct and any other 27 oaths authorized in any Act administered by OBRE. 28 Section 20-40. Hearings; record of hearings. 29 (a) OBRE shall have the authority to conduct hearings 30 before the Advisory Board on proceedings to revoke, suspend, 31 place on probation or administrative review, reprimand, or 32 refuse to issue or renew any license under this Act or to -21- LRB9102826ACtm 1 impose a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 upon any 2 licensee under this Act. 3 (b) OBRE, at its expense, shall preserve a record of all 4 proceedings at the formal hearing of any case involving the 5 discipline of any license under this Act. The notice of 6 hearing, complaint and all other documents in the nature of 7 pleadings and written motions filed in the proceedings, the 8 transcript of testimony, the report of the Board, and the 9 order of OBRE shall be the record of proceeding. At all 10 hearings or prehearing conference, OBRE and the respondent 11 shall be entitled to have a court reporter in attendance for 12 purposes of transcribing the proceeding or prehearing 13 conference. 14 Section 20-45. Notice. OBRE shall (i) notify the 15 respondent in writing at least 30 days prior to the date set 16 for the hearing of any charges made and the time and place 17 for the hearing of the charges to be heard under oath and 18 (ii) inform the respondent that, upon failure to file an 19 answer before the date originally set for the hearing, 20 default will taken against the respondent and the 21 respondent's license may be suspended, revoked, or otherwise 22 disciplined as OBRE may deem proper before taking any 23 disciplinary action with regard to any license under this 24 Act. 25 If the respondent fails to file an answer after receiving 26 notice, the respondent's license may, in the discretion of 27 OBRE, be revoked, suspended, or otherwise disciplined as 28 deemed proper, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged 29 constitute sufficient grounds for such action under this Act. 30 At the time and place fixed in the notice, OBRE shall 31 proceed to hearing of the charges and both the respondent and 32 the complainant shall be accorded ample opportunity to 33 present in person or by counsel such statements, testimony, -22- LRB9102826ACtm 1 evidence, and argument as may be pertinent to the charges or 2 any defense thereto. 3 Section 20-50. Board's findings of fact, conclusions of 4 law, and recommendation to the Commissioner. At the 5 conclusion of the hearing, the Advisory Board shall present 6 to the Commissioner a written report of its findings of 7 facts, conclusions of law, and recommendations regarding 8 discipline or a fine. The report shall contain a finding 9 whether or not the accused person violated this Act or failed 10 to comply with the conditions required in this Act. The 11 Advisory Board shall specify the nature of the violation or 12 failure to comply and shall make its recommendations to the 13 Commissioner. 14 If the Commissioner disagrees in any regard with the 15 report of the Advisory Board, the Commissioner may issue an 16 order in contravention of the report. The Commissioner shall 17 provide a written report to the Advisory Board on any 18 deviation and shall specify with particularity the reasons 19 for that action in the final order. 20 Section 20-55. Motion for rehearing; rehearing. In any 21 hearing involving the discipline of a license, a copy of the 22 Advisory Board's report shall be served upon the respondent 23 by OBRE, either personally or as provided in this Act for the 24 service of the notice of hearing. Within 20 calendar days 25 after the service, the respondent may present to OBRE a 26 motion in writing for a rehearing, which shall specify the 27 particular grounds for rehearing. 28 If no motion for rehearing is filed, then upon the 29 expiration of the time specified for filing a motion, or if a 30 motion for rehearing is denied, then upon denial, the 31 Commissioner may enter an order in accordance with the 32 recommendations of the Advisory Board, except as provided for -23- LRB9102826ACtm 1 in this Act. If the respondent orders a transcript of the 2 record from the reporting service and pays for it within the 3 time for filing a motion for rehearing, the 20 calendar day 4 period within which a motion for rehearing may be filed shall 5 commence upon the delivery of the transcript to the 6 respondent. 7 Whenever the Commissioner is not satisfied that 8 substantial justice has been done in the hearing or in the 9 Advisory Board's report, the Commissioner may order a 10 rehearing by the same. 11 Section 20-60. Order; certified copy. An order or a 12 certified copy of an order, over the seal of OBRE and 13 purporting to be signed by the Commissioner or his or her 14 designee, shall be prima facie proof that: 15 (1) the signature is the genuine signature of the 16 Commissioner or his or her designee; 17 (2) the Commissioner is duly appointed and 18 qualified; and 19 (3) the Advisory Board is duly appointed and 20 qualified. 21 Section 20-65. Restoration of license. At any time 22 after the suspension or revocation of any license, OBRE may 23 restore the license to the accused person upon the written 24 recommendation of the Advisory Board, unless after an 25 investigation and a hearing the Advisory Board determines 26 that restoration is not in the public interest. 27 Section 20-70. Surrender of license. Upon the 28 revocation or suspension of any license the licensee shall 29 immediately surrender the license to OBRE. If the licensee 30 fails to do so, OBRE shall have the right to seize the 31 license. -24- LRB9102826ACtm 1 Section 20-75. Administrative Review Law. All final 2 administrative decisions of OBRE are subject to judicial 3 review under the Administrative Review Law and its rules. 4 The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 5 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure. 6 Proceedings for judicial review shall be commenced in the 7 circuit court of the county in which the party applying for 8 review resides, but if the party is not a resident of this 9 State, the venue shall be in Cook or Sangamon County. 10 Pending final decision on the review, the acts, orders, 11 sanctions, and rulings of OBRE regarding any license shall 12 remain in full force and effect, unless modified or suspended 13 by a court order pending final judicial decision. OBRE shall 14 not be required to certify any record to the court, file any 15 answer in court, or otherwise appear in any court in a 16 judicial review proceeding, unless there is filed in the 17 court, with the complaint, a receipt from OBRE acknowledging 18 payment of the costs of furnishing and certifying the record. 19 Failure on the part of the plaintiff to file a receipt in 20 court shall be grounds for dismissal of the action. 21 Section 20-80. Summary suspension. The Commissioner may 22 temporarily suspend any license pursuant to this Act, without 23 hearing, simultaneously with the institution of proceedings 24 for a hearing provided for in this Act, if the Commissioner 25 finds that the evidence indicates that the public interest, 26 safety, or welfare requires emergency action. In the event 27 that the Commissioner temporarily suspends any license 28 without a hearing, a hearing shall be held within 30 calendar 29 days after the suspension has begun. The suspended licensee 30 may seek a continuance of the hearing during which the 31 suspension shall remain in effect. The proceeding shall be 32 concluded without appreciable delay. -25- LRB9102826ACtm 1 Section 20-85. Action for compensation; allegation and 2 proof of license. No action or counterclaim shall be 3 maintained by any person in any court in this State with 4 respect to any agreement, contract, or services for which a 5 license is required by this Act or to recover the agreed 6 price or any compensation under any such agreement or for 7 such services for which a license is required by this Act 8 without alleging and proving that the person had a valid 9 license at the time of making such agreement or doing such 10 work. 11 Section 20-90. Cease and desist orders. OBRE may issue 12 cease and desist orders to persons who engage in activities 13 prohibited by this Act. Any person in violation of a cease 14 and desist order obtained by OBRE is subject to all of the 15 remedies provided by law. 16 Section 20-95. Returned checks; fine. A person who 17 delivers a check or other payment to OBRE that is returned to 18 OBRE unpaid by the financial institution upon which it is 19 drawn shall pay to OBRE, in addition to the amount already 20 owed to OBRE, a fee of $50. If the check or other payment 21 was for issuance of a license under this Act and that person 22 conducts an auction or provides an auction service, that 23 person may be subject to discipline for unlicensed practice. 24 OBRE shall notify the person that his or her check has been 25 returned and that the person shall pay to OBRE by certified 26 check or money order the amount of the returned check plus 27 the $50 fee within 30 calendar days after the date of the 28 notification. If, after the expiration of 30 calendar days 29 of the notification, the person has failed to submit the 30 necessary remittance, OBRE shall automatically terminate the 31 license or deny the application without a hearing. If, after 32 termination or denial, the person seeks a license, he or she -26- LRB9102826ACtm 1 shall petition OBRE for restoration and he or she may be 2 subject to additional discipline or fines. The Commissioner 3 may waive the fines due under this Section in individual 4 cases where the Commissioner finds that the fines would be 5 unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome. 6 ARTICLE 25. SCHOOL AND CONTINUING EDUCATION PROVISIONS 7 Section 25-5. Continuing education. 8 (a) For each pre-renewal period, each auctioneer and 9 associate auctioneer who makes application to renew his or 10 her license must successfully complete auction continuing 11 education courses approved by the Advisory Board and OBRE 12 from a school approved by the Advisory Board and OBRE. 13 (b) Each renewal applicant shall successfully complete 14 12 hours of continuing education, of which at least 6 hours 15 shall be mandatory core subjects in the following categories: 16 (1) Illinois statutes and rules governing 17 auctioneering; 18 (2) federal statutes and regulations governing 19 auctioneering; 20 (3) auctioneering ethics; 21 (4) escrow and trust accounts; 22 (5) contracts; and 23 (6) other subject matter approved by the Board and 24 established by rule. 25 (c) Each renewal applicant may satisfy the remaining 6 26 hours of continuing education from the mandatory core 27 subjects from the categories as provided in subsection (b) or 28 successfully complete an additional 6 hours of continuing 29 education in the following elective subject categories: 30 (1) agency; 31 (2) business courses related to auctioneering; 32 (3) real estate related courses; -27- LRB9102826ACtm 1 (4) auction management; 2 (5) bid calling; 3 (6) public speaking; 4 (7) advertising; 5 (8) specialty auction courses; or 6 (9) other subject matter approved by the Board and 7 established by rule. 8 (d) Every licensee shall personally take and pass an 9 examination after each continuing education course, as 10 provided by rule. For the purposes of this Section, 70% 11 shall be deemed a passing score. 12 Section 25-10. School license; requirements; 13 application. 14 (a) Only schools approved by the Board and OBRE may 15 provide approved continuing education. 16 (b) Schools seeking to be approved as continuing 17 education schools shall provide satisfactory proof of the 18 following: 19 (1) a sound financial base for establishing, 20 promoting, and delivering the necessary courses; 21 (2) a sufficient number of qualified instructors; 22 (3) adequate support personnel to assist with 23 administrative matters and technical assistance; 24 (4) a written policy dealing with procedures for 25 the management of grievances and fee refunds; 26 (5) a qualified school administrator, who is 27 responsible for the administration of the school and the 28 actions of instructors; and 29 (6) any other requirements as provided by rule. 30 (c) All schools shall provide each successful course 31 participants with a certificate of completion signed by the 32 school administrator containing the following information: 33 (1) the name, address, and license number of the -28- LRB9102826ACtm 1 school; 2 (2) the name, address, social security number, and 3 license number of the successful participant; 4 (3) the name of the course, which describes the 5 subject matter thereof; 6 (4) the number of approved credit hours and whether 7 the course is from the mandatory or elective category; 8 (5) the date the course was completed; and 9 (6) other information as required and provided by 10 rule. 11 (d) All schools shall provide to OBRE a monthly roster 12 of all successful participants containing: 13 (1) the name, address, and license number of the 14 school; 15 (2) the name, address, social security, and license 16 number of the successful participants; 17 (3) the name of the course, which describes the 18 subject matter thereof, and the license number of the 19 course; 20 (4) the number of approved credit hours and whether 21 the course is from the mandatory or elective category; 22 (5) the date the course was completed; and 23 (6) other information as required and in a format 24 as provided by rule. 25 (e) All schools shall make application to OBRE on forms 26 provided by OBRE and pay the appropriate fee for a school 27 license. A school license shall expire on December 31 of 28 each odd numbered year. A school shall make application to 29 the OBRE on forms provided by OBRE and pay the appropriate 30 fee as provided by rule for a renewal license. 31 (f) A school license may be disciplined as provided by 32 rule. 33 Section 25-15. Course approval; license. A school may -29- LRB9102826ACtm 1 submit courses for approval by the Advisory Board and OBRE. 2 The criteria and information for course approval shall be 3 established by rule. For each course that is approved as a 4 continuing education course, OBRE shall issue a license to 5 the school for the course. Approved course licenses shall 6 expire on December 31 of odd number years along with the 7 school license. 8 ARTICLE 30. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 9 Section 30-5. OBRE; powers and duties. The OBRE shall 10 exercise the powers and duties prescribed by the Civil 11 Administrative Code of Illinois for the administration of 12 licensing acts and shall exercise such other powers and 13 duties as prescribed by this Act. The OBRE may contract with 14 third parties for services necessary for the proper 15 administration of this Act. 16 Section 30-10. Rules. OBRE, after notifying and 17 considering the recommendations of the Advisory Board, if 18 any, shall adopt any rules that may be necessary for the 19 administration, implementation and enforcement of this Act. 20 Section 30-15. Auction Regulation Administration Fund. 21 A special fund to be known as the Auction Regulation 22 Administration Fund is created in the State Treasury. All 23 fees received by the OBRE under this Act shall be deposited 24 into the Auction Regulation Administration Fund. Subject to 25 appropriation, the moneys deposited into the Auction 26 Regulation Administration Fund shall be used by the OBRE for 27 the administration of this Act. Moneys in the Auction 28 Regulation Administration Fund may be invested and reinvested 29 in the same manner as authorized for pension funds in Article 30 14 of the Illinois Pension Code. All earnings, interest, and -30- LRB9102826ACtm 1 dividends received from investment of funds in the Auction 2 Regulation Administration Fund shall be deposited into the 3 Auction Regulation Administration Fund and shall be used for 4 the same purposes as other moneys deposited in the Auction 5 Regulation Administration Fund. 6 This fund shall be created on July 1, 1999. The State 7 Treasurer shall cause a transfer of $300,000 to the Auction 8 Regulation Administration Fund from the Real Estate License 9 Administration Fund on August 1, 1999. The State Treasurer 10 shall cause a transfer of $200,000 on August 1, 2000 and a 11 transfer of $100,000 on January 1, 2002 from the Auction 12 Regulation Administration Fund to the Real Estate License 13 Administration Fund, or if there is a sufficient fund balance 14 in the Auction Regulation Administration Fund to properly 15 administer this Act, the OBRE may recommend to the State 16 Treasurer to cause a transfer from the Auction Regulation 17 Administration Fund to the Real Estate License Administration 18 Fund on a date and in an amount which is accelerated, but not 19 less than set forth in this Section. In addition to the 20 license fees required under this Act, each initial applicant 21 for licensure under this Act shall pay to the OBRE an 22 additional $100 for deposit into the Auction Regulation 23 Administration Fund for a period of 2 years or until such 24 time the original transfer amount to the Auction Regulation 25 Administration Fund from the Real Estate License 26 Administration Fund is repaid. 27 Upon completion of any audit of the OBRE as prescribed by 28 the Illinois State Auditing Act, which includes an audit of 29 the Auction Regulation Administration Fund, the OBRE shall 30 make the audit open to inspection by any interested party. 31 Section 30-20. Auction Recovery Fund. A special fund to 32 be known as the Auction Recovery Fund is created in the State 33 Treasury. The moneys in the Auction Recovery Fund shall be -31- LRB9102826ACtm 1 used by the OBRE exclusively for carrying out the purposes 2 established pursuant to the provisions of Section 30-35 of 3 this Act. 4 The sums received by the OBRE pursuant to the provisions 5 of Sections 20-5 through Sections 20-20 of this Act shall be 6 deposited into the State Treasury and held in the Auction 7 Recovery Fund. In addition to the license fees required 8 under this Act, each initial and renewal applicant shall pay 9 to the OBRE an additional $25 for deposit into the Auction 10 Recovery Fund for a period of 2 years after the effective 11 date of this Act. After such time the Auction Regulation 12 Administration Fund has totally repaid the Real Estate 13 License Administration Fund, the State Treasurer shall cause 14 a transfer of $50,000 from the Auction Regulation 15 Administration Fund to the Auction Recovery Fund annually on 16 January 1 so as to sustain a minimum balance of $400,000 in 17 the Auction Recovery Fund. If the fund balance in the 18 Auction Recovery Fund on January 1 of any year after 2002 is 19 less than $100,000, in addition to the renewal license fee 20 required under this Act, each renewal applicant shall pay the 21 OBRE an additional $25 fee for deposit into the Auction 22 Recovery Fund. 23 The funds held in the Auction Recovery Fund may be 24 invested and reinvested in the same manner as funds in the 25 Auction Regulation Administration Fund. All earnings 26 received from investment may be deposited into the Auction 27 Recovery Fund and may be used for the same purposes as other 28 moneys deposited into the Auction Recovery Fund or may be 29 deposited into the Auction Education Fund as provided in 30 Section 30-25 of this Act and as established by rule. 31 Section 30-25. Auction Education Fund. A special fund 32 to be known as the Auction Education Fund is created in the 33 State Treasury. The Auction Education Fund shall be -32- LRB9102826ACtm 1 administered by OBRE. Subject to appropriation, moneys 2 deposited into the Auction Education Fund may be used for the 3 advancement of education in the auction industry, as 4 established by rule. The moneys deposited in the Auction 5 Education Fund may be invested and reinvested in the same 6 manner as funds in the Auction Regulation Administration 7 Fund. All earnings received from investment shall be 8 deposited into the Auction Education Fund and may be used for 9 the same purposes as other moneys deposited into the Auction 10 Education Fund. 11 Section 30-30. Auction Advisory Board. 12 (a) There is hereby created the Auction Advisory Board. 13 The Advisory Board shall consist of 7 members and shall be 14 appointed by the Commissioner. In making the appointments, 15 the Commissioner shall give due consideration to the 16 recommendations by members and organizations of the industry, 17 including but not limited to the Illinois State Auctioneers 18 Association. Four members of the Advisory Board shall be 19 licensed auctioneers, except that for the initial 20 appointments, these members may be persons without a license, 21 but who have been auctioneers for at least 5 years preceding 22 their appointment to the Advisory Board. One member shall be 23 a public member who represents the interests of consumers and 24 who is not licensed under this Act or the spouse of a person 25 licensed under this Act or who has any responsibility for 26 management or formation of policy of or any financial 27 interest in the auctioneering profession or any other 28 connection with the profession. One member shall be actively 29 engaged in the real estate industry and licensed as a broker 30 or salesperson. One member shall be the Director of Auction 31 Regulation, ex-officio, and shall serve as the Chairperson of 32 the Advisory Board. 33 (b) Members shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, -33- LRB9102826ACtm 1 except that of the initial appointments, 3 members shall be 2 appointed to serve a term of 3 years and 4 members shall be 3 appointed to serve a term of 4 years, including the Director. 4 The Commissioner shall fill a vacancy for the remainder of 5 any unexpired term. Each member shall serve on the Advisory 6 Board until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. 7 No person shall be appointed to serve more than 2 terms, 8 including the unexpired portion of a term due to vacancy. To 9 the extent practicable, the Commissioner shall appoint 10 members to insure that the various geographic regions of the 11 State are properly represented on the Advisory Board. 12 (c) A majority of the Advisory Board members currently 13 appointed shall constitute a quorum. A vacancy in the 14 membership of the Advisory Board shall not impair the right 15 of a quorum to exercise all of the rights and perform all the 16 duties of the Board. 17 (d) Each member of the Advisory Board shall receive a 18 per diem stipend in an amount to be determined by the 19 Commissioner. Each member shall be paid his or her necessary 20 expenses while engaged in the performance of his or her 21 duties. 22 (e) Members of the Advisory Board shall be immune from 23 suit in an action based upon any disciplinary proceedings or 24 other acts performed in good faith as members of the Advisory 25 Board. 26 (f) The Advisory Board shall meet monthly or as convened 27 by the Chairperson. 28 (g) The Advisory Board shall advise the OBRE on matters 29 of licensing and education and make recommendations to the 30 OBRE on those matters and shall hear and make recommendations 31 to the Commissioner on disciplinary matters that require a 32 formal evidentiary hearing. 33 (h) The Commissioner shall give due consideration to all 34 recommendations of the Advisory Board. -34- LRB9102826ACtm 1 Section 30-35. Director of Auction Regulation. The 2 Commissioner shall appoint a Director of Auction Regulation 3 in the OBRE for a term of 4 years. The Director shall hold a 4 valid auctioneer license under this Act, which shall be 5 surrendered to OBRE during his or her appointment, except for 6 the initial appointment. During the initial appointment, the 7 Director may be a person without a license who has been an 8 auctioneer for at least 5 years and who has sufficient 9 experience and knowledge in public administration. The 10 Director of Auction Regulation shall report to the 11 Commissioner and shall do the following: 12 (1) act as Chairperson of the Advisory Board, 13 ex-officio; 14 (2) be the direct liaison between OBRE, the 15 profession; and the auction organizations and 16 associations; 17 (3) prepare and circulate to licensees such 18 educational and informational material as the OBRE deems 19 necessary for providing guidance or assistance to 20 licensees; 21 (4) appoint any necessary committees to assist in 22 the performance of the functions and duties of the OBRE 23 under this Act; and 24 (5) subject to the administrative approval of the 25 Commissioner, supervise the Auction Regulation division 26 of OBRE. 27 In appointing the Director of Auction Regulation, the 28 Commissioner shall give due consideration to recommendations 29 by members and organizations of the auction industry. 30 Section 30-40. Auction Recovery Fund; recovery; actions; 31 procedures. The OBRE shall maintain an Auction Recovery Fund 32 from which any person aggrieved by an act, representation, 33 transaction, or the conduct of a duly licensed auctioneer, -35- LRB9102826ACtm 1 associate auctioneer or auction firm that constitutes a 2 violation of this Act or the regulations promulgated pursuant 3 thereto or that constitutes embezzlement of money or 4 property or results in money or property being unlawfully 5 obtained from any person by false pretenses, artifice, 6 trickery, or forgery or by reason of any fraud, 7 misrepresentation, discrimination or deceit by or on the part 8 of any licensee or the unlicensed employee of any auctioneer, 9 associate auctioneer, or auction firm and that results in a 10 loss of actual cash money as opposed to losses in market 11 value, may recover. The aggrieved person may recover, by 12 order of the circuit court of the county where the violation 13 occurred, an amount of not more than $10,000 from the fund 14 for damages sustained by the act, representation, 15 transaction, or conduct, together with the costs of suit and 16 attorneys' fees incurred in connection therewith of not to 17 exceed 15% of the amount of the recovery ordered paid from 18 the Fund. However, no licensed auctioneer, associate 19 auctioneer, or auction firm may recover from the Fund, unless 20 the court finds that the person suffered a loss resulting 21 from intentional misconduct. The court order shall not 22 include interest on the judgment. 23 The maximum liability against the Fund arising out of any 24 one act by any auctioneer, associate auctioneer, or auction 25 firm shall be $50,000, and the judgment order shall spread 26 the award equitably among all aggrieved persons. 27 Section 30-45. Auction Recovery Fund; collection. 28 (a) No action for a judgment that subsequently results 29 in an order for collection from the Auction Recovery Fund 30 shall be started later than 2 years after the date on which 31 the aggrieved person knew or, through the use of reasonable 32 diligence, should have known of the acts or omissions giving 33 rise to a right of recovery from the Auction Recovery Fund. -36- LRB9102826ACtm 1 (b) When any aggrieved person commences action for a 2 judgment that may result in collection from the Auction 3 Recovery Fund, the aggrieved person must name as parties to 4 that action any and all individual auctioneers, associate 5 auctioneers, auction firms, or their employees or agents who 6 allegedly committed or are responsible for acts or omissions 7 giving rise to a right of recovery from the Auction Recovery 8 Fund. Failure to name these individuals as parties shall 9 preclude recovery from the Auction Recovery Fund of any 10 portion of the judgment received in the action. 11 (c) When any aggrieved person commences action for a 12 judgment that may result in collection from the Auction 13 Recovery Fund, the aggrieved person must notify OBRE in 14 writing to this effect at the time of the commencement of the 15 action. Failure to so notify OBRE shall preclude recovery 16 from the Auction Recovery Fund of any portion of the judgment 17 received in the action. After receiving notice of the 18 commencement of such an action, OBRE, upon timely 19 application, shall be permitted to intervene as a party to 20 that action. 21 (d) When an aggrieved party commences action for a 22 judgment that may result in collection from the Auction 23 Recovery Fund and the court in which the action is commenced 24 enters judgment by default against the defendant and in favor 25 of the aggrieved party, the court shall, upon motion of OBRE, 26 set aside that judgment by default. After a judgment by 27 default has been set aside, OBRE shall appear as a party to 28 that action and thereafter the court shall require proof of 29 the allegations in the pleading upon which relief is sought. 30 (e) The aggrieved person shall give written notice to 31 OBRE within 30 days after the entry of any judgment that may 32 result in collection from the Auction Recovery Fund. That 33 aggrieved person shall provide OBRE 20 days written notice of 34 all supplementary proceeding so as to allow OBRE to -37- LRB9102826ACtm 1 participate in all efforts to collect on the judgment. 2 (f) When any aggrieved person recovers a valid judgment 3 in any court of competent jurisdiction against any licensee 4 or an unlicensed employee or agent of any licensee on the 5 grounds of fraud, misrepresentation, discrimination, or 6 deceit, the aggrieved person may, upon the termination of all 7 proceedings, including review and appeals in connection with 8 the judgment, file a verified claim in the court in which the 9 judgment was entered and, upon 30 days written notice to OBRE 10 and to the person against whom the judgment was obtained, may 11 apply to the court for an order directing payment out of the 12 Auction Recovery Fund of the amount unpaid upon the judgment, 13 not including interest on the judgment, and subject to the 14 limitation stated in Section 30-40 of this Act. The 15 aggrieved person must set out in that verified claim and at 16 an evidentiary hearing to be held by the court that the 17 aggrieved person: 18 (1) is not the spouse of the debtor or the personal 19 representative of the spouse; 20 (2) has complied with all the requirements of this 21 Section; 22 (3) has obtained a judgment stating the amount 23 thereof and the amount owing thereon, not including 24 interest thereon, at the date of the application; 25 (4) has made all reasonable searches and inquiries 26 to ascertain whether the judgment debtor possesses real 27 or personal property or other assets which may be sold or 28 applied in satisfaction of the judgment; 29 (5) has discovered no personal or real property or 30 other assets liable to be sold or applied, or has 31 discovered certain of them, describing them owned by the 32 judgment debtor and liable to be so applied, and has 33 taken all necessary action and proceeding for the 34 realization thereof, and the amount thereby realized was -38- LRB9102826ACtm 1 insufficient to satisfy the judgment, stating the amount 2 so realized and the balance remaining due on the judgment 3 after application of the amount realized; 4 (6) has diligently pursued all remedies against all 5 the judgment debtors and all other persons liable to the 6 aggrieved person in the transaction for which recovery is 7 sought from the Auction Recovery Fund. 8 (7) has filed an adversary action to have the debts 9 declared non-dischargeable in any bankruptcy petition 10 matter filed by any judgment debtor or person liable to 11 the aggrieved person. The aggrieved person shall also be 12 required to prove the amount of attorney's fees sought to 13 be recovered and the reasonableness of those fees up to 14 the maximum allowed pursuant to Section 30-40 of this 15 Act. 16 (g) The court shall make an order directed to OBRE 17 requiring payment from the Auction Recovery Fund of whatever 18 sum it finds to be payable upon the claim, pursuant to and in 19 accordance with the limitations contained in Section 30-40 of 20 this Act, if the court is satisfied, upon the hearing, of the 21 truth of all matters required to be shown by the aggrieved 22 person by subsection (f) of this Section and that the 23 aggrieved person has fully pursued and exhausted all remedies 24 available for recovering the amount awarded by the judgment 25 of the court. 26 (h) If the OBRE pays from the Auction Recovery Fund any 27 amount in settlement of a claim or toward satisfaction of a 28 judgment against any licensee, or employee or agent of any 29 licensee, the license of said licensee shall be automatically 30 terminated without hearing upon the issuance of a court order 31 authorizing payment from the Auction Recovery Fund. No 32 petition for restoration of the license shall be heard until 33 repayment of the amount paid from the Auction Recovery Fund 34 on their account has been made in full, plus interest at the -39- LRB9102826ACtm 1 rate prescribed in Section 12-109 of Code of Civil Procedure. 2 A discharge in bankruptcy shall not relieve a person from the 3 penalties and disabilities provided in this subsection. 4 (i) If, at any time, the money deposited in the Auction 5 Recovery Fund is insufficient to satisfy any duly authorized 6 claim or portion thereof, OBRE shall, when sufficient money 7 has been deposited in the Auction Recovery Fund, satisfy such 8 unpaid claims or portions thereof, in the order that the 9 claims or portions thereof were originally filed, plus 10 accumulated interest at the rate prescribed in Section 12-109 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure. 12 Section 30-50. Contractual agreements. The OBRE may 13 enter into contractual agreements with third parties to carry 14 out the provisions of this Act. 15 Section 30-55. Reciprocal agreements. The OBRE shall 16 have the authority to enter into reciprocal licensing 17 agreements with the proper authority of a state, territory, 18 or possession of the United States or the District of 19 Columbia having licensing requirements equal to or 20 substantially equivalent to the requirements of this State. 21 ARTICLE 950. AMENDATORY PROVISIONS 22 Section 950-5. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by 23 adding Section 4.20 as follows: 24 (5 ILCS 80/4.20 new) 25 Sec. 4.20. Act repealed on January 1, 2010. The 26 following Act is repealed on January 1, 2010: 27 The Auction License Act. 28 Section 950-10. The State Finance Act is amended by -40- LRB9102826ACtm 1 adding Sections 5.490, 5.491, and 5.492 as follows: 2 (30 ILCS 105/5.490 new) 3 Sec. 5.490. The Auction Regulation Administration Fund. 4 5 (30 ILCS 105/5.491 new) 6 Sec. 5.491. The Auction Recovery Fund. 7 (30 ILCS 105/5.492 new) 8 Sec. 5.492. The Auction Education Fund. 9 Section 950-15. If and only if House Bill 902 of the 10 91st General Assembly becomes law, the Real Estate License 11 Act of 1999 is amended by changing Sections 1-10 and 5-20 as 12 follows: 13 (91HB0902, Sec. 1-10) 14 Sec. 1-10. Definitions. In this Act, unless the context 15 otherwise requires: 16 "Act" means the Real Estate License Act of 1999. 17 "Advisory Council" means the Real Estate Education 18 Advisory Council created under Section 30-10 of this Act. 19 "Agency" means a relationship in which a real estate 20 broker or licensee, whether directly or through an affiliated 21 licensee, represents a consumer by the consumer's consent, 22 whether express or implied, in a real property transaction. 23 "Applicant" means any person, as defined in this Section, 24 who applies to OBRE for a valid license as a real estate 25 broker, real estate salesperson, or leasing agent. 26 "Blind advertisement" means any real estate advertisement 27 that does not include the sponsoring broker's business name 28 and that is used by any licensee regarding the sale or lease 29 of real estate, including his or her own, licensed -41- LRB9102826ACtm 1 activities, or the hiring of any licensee under this Act. 2 The broker's business name in the case of a franchise shall 3 include the franchise affiliation as well as the name of the 4 individual firm. 5 "Board" means the Real Estate Administration and 6 Disciplinary Board of OBRE. 7 "Branch office" means a sponsoring broker's office other 8 than the sponsoring broker's principal office. 9 "Broker" means an individual, partnership, limited 10 liability company, corporation, or registered limited 11 liability partnership other than a real estate salesperson or 12 leasing agent who for another and for compensation either 13 directly or indirectly: 14 (1) Sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases 15 real estate. 16 (2) Offers to sell, exchange, purchase, rent, or 17 lease real estate. 18 (3) Negotiates, offers, attempts, or agrees to 19 negotiate the sale, exchange, purchase, rental, or 20 leasing of real estate. 21 (4) Lists, offers, attempts, or agrees to list real 22 estate for sale, lease, or exchange. 23 (5) Buys, sells, offers to buy or sell, or 24 otherwise deals in options on real estate or improvements 25 thereon. 26 (6) Supervises the collection, offer, attempt, or 27 agreement to collect rent for the use of real estate. 28 (7) Advertises or represents himself or herself as 29 being engaged in the business of buying, selling, 30 exchanging, renting, or leasing real estate. 31 (8) Assists or directs in procuring or referring of 32 prospects, intended to result in the sale, exchange, 33 lease, or rental of real estate. 34 (9) Assists or directs in the negotiation of any -42- LRB9102826ACtm 1 transaction intended to result in the sale, exchange, 2 lease, or rental of real estate. 3 (10) Opens real estate to the public for marketing 4 purposes. 5 (11) Sells, leases, or offers for sale or lease 6 real estate at auction. 7 "Brokerage agreement" means a written or oral agreement 8 between a sponsoring broker and a consumer for licensed 9 activities to be provided to a consumer in return for 10 compensation or the right to receive compensation from 11 another. Brokerage agreements may constitute either a 12 bilateral or a unilateral agreement between the broker and 13 the broker's client depending upon the content of the 14 brokerage agreement. All exclusive brokerage agreements shall 15 be in writing. 16 "Client" means a person who is being represented by a 17 licensee. 18 "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Banks and Real 19 Estate or a person authorized by the Commissioner, the Office 20 of Banks and Real Estate Act, or this Act to act in the 21 Commissioner's stead. 22 "Compensation" means the valuable consideration given by 23 one person or entity to another person or entity in exchange 24 for the performance of some activity or service. 25 Compensation shall include the transfer of valuable 26 consideration, including without limitation the following: 27 (1) commissions; 28 (2) referral fees; 29 (3) bonuses; 30 (4) prizes; 31 (5) merchandise; 32 (6) finder fees; 33 (7) performance of services; 34 (8) coupons or gift certificates; -43- LRB9102826ACtm 1 (9) discounts; 2 (10) rebates; 3 (11) a chance to win a raffle, drawing, lottery, or 4 similar game of chance not prohibited by any other law or 5 statute; 6 (12) retainer fee; or 7 (13) salary. 8 "Confidential information" means information obtained by 9 a licensee from a client during the term of a brokerage 10 agreement that (i) was made confidential by the written 11 request or written instruction of the client, (ii) deals with 12 the negotiating position of the client, or (iii) is 13 information the disclosure of which could materially harm the 14 negotiating position of the client, unless at any time: 15 (1) the client permits the disclosure of 16 information given by that client by word or conduct; 17 (2) the disclosure is required by law; or 18 (3) the information becomes public from a source 19 other than the licensee. 20 "Confidential information" shall not be considered to 21 include material information about the physical condition of 22 the property. 23 "Consumer" means a person or entity seeking or receiving 24 licensed activities. 25 "Continuing education school" means any person licensed 26 by OBRE as a school for continuing education in accordance 27 with Section 30-15 of this Act. 28 "Credit hour" means 50 minutes of classroom instruction 29 in course work that meets the requirements set forth in rules 30 adopted by OBRE. 31 "Customer" means a consumer who is not being represented 32 by the licensee but for whom the licensee is performing 33 ministerial acts. 34 "Designated agency" means a contractual relationship -44- LRB9102826ACtm 1 between a sponsoring broker and a client under Section 15-50 2 of this Act in which one or more licensees associated with or 3 employed by the broker are designated as agent of the client. 4 "Designated agent" means a sponsored licensee named by a 5 sponsoring broker as the legal agent of a client, as provided 6 for in Section 15-50 of this Act. 7 "Director" means the Director of the Real Estate 8 Division, OBRE. 9 "Dual agency" means an agency relationship in which a 10 licensee is representing both buyer and seller or both 11 landlord and tenant in the same transaction. When the agency 12 relationship is a designated agency, the question of whether 13 there is a dual agency shall be determined by the agency 14 relationships of the designated agent of the parties and not 15 of the sponsoring broker. 16 "Employee" or other derivative of the word "employee", 17 when used to refer to, describe, or delineate the 18 relationship between a real estate broker and a real estate 19 salesperson, another real estate broker, or a leasing agent, 20 shall be construed to include an independent contractor 21 relationship, provided that a written agreement exists that 22 clearly establishes and states the relationship. All 23 responsibilities of a broker shall remain. 24 "Escrow moneys" means all moneys, promissory notes or any 25 other type or manner of legal tender or financial 26 consideration deposited with any person for the benefit of 27 the parties to the transaction. A transaction exists once an 28 agreement has been reached and an accepted real estate 29 contract signed or lease agreed to by the parties. Escrow 30 moneys includes without limitation earnest moneys and 31 security deposits, except those security deposits in which 32 the person holding the security deposit is also the sole 33 owner of the property being leased and for which the security 34 deposit is being held. -45- LRB9102826ACtm 1 "Inoperative" means a status of licensure where the 2 licensee holds a current license under this Act, but the 3 licensee is prohibited from engaging in licensed activities 4 because the licensee is unsponsored or the license of the 5 sponsoring broker with whom the licensee is associated or by 6 whom he or she is employed is currently expired, revoked, 7 suspended, or otherwise rendered invalid under this Act. 8 "Leasing Agent" means a person who is employed by a real 9 estate broker to engage in licensed activities limited to 10 leasing residential real estate who has obtained a license as 11 provided for in Section 5-5 of this Act. 12 "License" means the document issued by OBRE certifying 13 that the person named thereon has fulfilled all requirements 14 prerequisite to licensure under this Act. 15 "Licensed activities" means those activities listed in 16 the definition of "broker" under this Section. 17 "Licensee" means any person, as defined in this Section, 18 who holds a valid unexpired license as a real estate broker, 19 real estate salesperson, or leasing agent. 20 "Listing presentation" means a communication between a 21 real estate broker or salesperson and a consumer in which the 22 licensee is attempting to secure a brokerage agreement with 23 the consumer to market the consumer's real estate for sale or 24 lease. 25 "Managing broker" means a broker who has supervisory 26 responsibilities for licensees in one or, in the case of a 27 multi-office company, more than one office and who has been 28 appointed as such by the sponsoring broker of the real estate 29 firm. 30 "Medium of advertising" means any method of communication 31 intended to influence the general public to use or purchase a 32 particular good or service or real estate. 33 "Ministerial acts" means those acts that a licensee may 34 perform for a consumer that are informative or clerical in -46- LRB9102826ACtm 1 nature and do not rise to the level of active representation 2 on behalf of a consumer. Examples of these acts include 3 without limitation (i) responding to phone inquiries by 4 consumers as to the availability and pricing of brokerage 5 services, (ii) responding to phone inquiries from a consumer 6 concerning the price or location of property, (iii) attending 7 an open house and responding to questions about the property 8 from a consumer, (iv) setting an appointment to view 9 property, (v) responding to questions of consumers walking 10 into a licensee's office concerning brokerage services 11 offered or particular properties, (vi) accompanying an 12 appraiser, inspector, contractor, or similar third party on a 13 visit to a property, (vii) describing a property or the 14 property's condition in response to a consumer's inquiry, 15 (viii) completing business or factual information for a 16 consumer on an offer or contract to purchase on behalf of a 17 client, (ix) showing a client through a property being sold 18 by an owner on his or her own behalf, or (x) referral to 19 another broker or service provider. 20 "OBRE" means the Office of Banks and Real Estate. 21 "Office" means a real estate broker's place of business 22 where the general public is invited to transact business and 23 where records may be maintained and licenses displayed, 24 whether or not it is the broker's principal place of 25 business. 26 "Person" means and includes individuals, entities, 27 corporations, limited liability companies, registered limited 28 liability partnerships, and partnerships, foreign or 29 domestic, except that when the context otherwise requires, 30 the term may refer to a single individual or other described 31 entity. 32 "Personal assistant" means a licensed or unlicensed 33 person who has been hired for the purpose of aiding or 34 assisting a sponsored licensee in the performance of the -47- LRB9102826ACtm 1 sponsored licensee's job. 2 "Pocket card" means the card issued by OBRE to signify 3 that the person named on the card is currently licensed under 4 this Act. 5 "Pre-license school" means a school licensed by OBRE 6 offering courses in subjects related to real estate 7 transactions, including the subjects upon which an applicant 8 is examined in determining fitness to receive a license. 9 "Pre-renewal period" means the period between the date of 10 issue of a currently valid license and the license's 11 expiration date. 12 "Real estate" means and includes leaseholds as well as 13 any other interest or estate in land, whether corporeal, 14 incorporeal, freehold, or non-freehold and whether the real 15 estate is situated in this State or elsewhere. 16 "Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board" or 17 "Board" means the Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary 18 Board created by Section 25-10 of this Act. 19 "Salesperson" means any individual, other than a real 20 estate broker or leasing agent, who is employed by a real 21 estate broker or is associated by written agreement with a 22 real estate broker as an independent contractor and 23 participates in any activity described in the definition of 24 "broker" under this Section. 25 "Sponsoring broker" means the broker who has issued a 26 sponsor card to a licensed salesperson, another licensed 27 broker, or a leasing agent. 28 "Sponsor card" means the temporary permit issued by the 29 sponsoring real estate broker certifying that the real estate 30 broker, real estate salesperson, or leasing agent named 31 thereon is employed by or associated by written agreement 32 with the sponsoring real estate broker, as provided for in 33 Section 5-40 of this Act. 34 (Source: 91HB0902 as introduced.) -48- LRB9102826ACtm 1 (91HB0902, Sec. 5-20) 2 Sec. 5-20. Exemptions from broker, salesperson, or 3 leasing agent license requirement. The requirement for 4 holding a license under this Article 5 shall not apply to: 5 (1) Any person, partnership, or corporation that as 6 owner or lessor performs any of the acts described in the 7 definition of "broker" under Section 1-10 of this Act with 8 reference to property owned or leased by it, or to the 9 regular employees thereof with respect to the property so 10 owned or leased, where such acts are performed in the regular 11 course of or as an incident to the management, sale, or other 12 disposition of such property and the investment therein, 13 provided that such regular employees do not perform any of 14 the acts described in the definition of "broker" under 15 Section 1-10 of this Act in connection with a vocation of 16 selling or leasing any real estate or the improvements 17 thereon not so owned or leased. 18 (2) An attorney in fact acting under a duly executed and 19 recorded power of attorney to convey real estate from the 20 owner or lessor or the services rendered by an attorney at 21 law in the performance of the attorney's duty as an attorney 22 at law. 23 (3) Any person acting as receiver, trustee in 24 bankruptcy, administrator, executor, or guardian or while 25 acting under a court order or under the authority of a will 26 or testamentary trust. 27 (4) Any person acting as a resident manager for the 28 owner or any employee acting as the resident manager for a 29 broker managing an apartment building, duplex, or apartment 30 complex, when the resident manager resides on the premises, 31 the premises is his or her primary residence, and the 32 resident manager is engaged in the leasing of the property of 33 which he or she is the resident manager. 34 (5) Any officer or employee of a federal agency in the -49- LRB9102826ACtm 1 conduct of official duties. 2 (6) Any officer or employee of the State government or 3 any political subdivision thereof performing official duties. 4 (7) Any multiple listing service or other information 5 exchange that is engaged in the collection and dissemination 6 of information concerning real estate available for sale, 7 purchase, lease, or exchange along with which no other 8 licensed activities are provided. 9 (8) Railroads and other public utilities regulated by 10 the State of Illinois, or the officers or full time employees 11 thereof, unless the performance of any licensed activities is 12 in connection with the sale, purchase, lease, or other 13 disposition of real estate or investment therein not needing 14 the approval of the appropriate State regulatory authority. 15 (9) Any medium of advertising in the routine course of 16 selling or publishing advertising along with which no other 17 licensed activities are provided. 18 (10) Any resident lessee of a residential dwelling unit 19 who refers for compensation to the owner of the dwelling 20 unit, or to the owner's agent, prospective lessees of 21 dwelling units in the same building or complex as the 22 resident lessee's unit, but only if the resident lessee (i) 23 refers no more than 3 prospective lessees in any 12-month 24 period, (ii) receives compensation of no more than $1,000 or 25 the equivalent of one month's rent, whichever is less, in any 26 12-month period, and (iii) limits his or her activities to 27 referring prospective lessees to the owner, or the owner's 28 agent, and does not show a residential dwelling unit to a 29 prospective lessee, discuss terms or conditions of leasing a 30 dwelling unit with a prospective lessee, or otherwise 31 participate in the negotiation of the leasing of a dwelling 32 unit. 33 (11) Any person who is licensed without examination under 34 Section 10-25 of the Auction License Act is exempt from -50- LRB9102826ACtm 1 holding a broker's or salesperson's license under this Act 2 for the limited purpose of selling or leasing real estate at 3 auction, so long as: 4 (A) that person has made application for said 5 exemption by July 1, 2000; 6 (B) that person verifies to OBRE that he or 7 she they sold real at auction for a period of 5 8 years prior to licensure as an auctioneer; 9 (C) the person has had no lapse in his or her 10 license as an auctioneer; and 11 (D) the license issued under the Auction 12 License Act has not been disciplined for violation 13 of those provisions of Article 20 of the Auction 14 License Act dealing with or related to the sale or 15 lease of real estate at auction. 16 (Source: 91HB0902 as introduced.) 17 ARTICLE 999. EFFECTIVE DATE 18 Section 999-99. Effective date. This Act takes effect 19 on January 1, 2000, except that Sections 30-15 and 30-40 take 20 effect July 1, 1999.