According to the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, Section 70-80, prior to bringing an action before the Board, the Department may investigate the actions of any applicant or of any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license. The Department shall, before suspending, revoking, placing on probationary status, or taking any other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper with regard to any license, at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify the accused in writing of any charges made and the time and place for a hearing of the charges before the Board, direct her or him to file a written answer thereto to the Board under oath within 20 days after the service of such notice and inform the licensee that if she or he fails to file such answer default will be taken against the licensee and such license may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or have other disciplinary action, including limiting the scope, nature or extent of her or his practice, as the Department may deem proper taken with regard thereto. Such written notice may be served by personal delivery or certified or registered mail to the respondent at the address of her or his last notification to the Department. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Department shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present such statements, testimony, evidence and argument as may be pertinent to the charges or to the defense to the charges. The Department may continue a hearing from time to time. In case the accused person, after receiving notice, fails to file an answer, her or his license may in the discretion of the Secretary, having received first the recommendation of the Board, be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or the Secretary may take whatever disciplinary action as he or she may deem proper, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of said person's practice, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for such action under this Act.
If you ever find yourself in need of any legal help related to nursing, please contact Illinois Nurse Defense Attorney James B. Goldberg at (312) 735-1185 or visit his website goldberglicensing.com