State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Illinois > Chapter205 > 1204

    (205 ILCS 670/1)(from Ch. 17, par. 5401)
    (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 96‑936)
    Sec. 1. License required to engage in business. No person, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall engage in the business of making loans of money in a principal amount not exceeding $25,000, and charge, contract for, or receive on any such loan a greater rate of interest, discount, or consideration therefor than the lender would be permitted by law to charge if he were not a licensee hereunder, except as authorized by this Act after first obtaining a license from the Director of Financial Institutions (hereinafter called the Director).
(Source: P.A. 89‑400, eff. 8‑20‑95; 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)
 
    (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96‑936)
    Sec. 1. License required to engage in business. No person, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall engage in the business of making loans of money in a principal amount not exceeding $40,000, and charge, contract for, or receive on any such loan a greater rate of interest, discount, or consideration therefor than the lender would be permitted by law to charge if he were not a licensee hereunder, except as authorized by this Act after first obtaining a license from the Director of Financial Institutions (hereinafter called the Director). No licensee, or employee or affiliate thereof, that is licensed under the Payday Loan Reform Act shall obtain a license under this Act except that a licensee under the Payday Loan Reform Act may obtain a license under this Act for the exclusive purpose and use of making title‑secured loans, as defined in subsection (a) of Section 15 of this Act and governed by Title 38, Section 110.300 of the Illinois Administrative Code.
(Source: P.A. 96‑936, eff. 3‑21‑11.)

    (205 ILCS 670/2) (from Ch. 17, par. 5402)
    Sec. 2. Application; fees; positive net worth. Application for such license shall be in writing, and in the form prescribed by the Director. Such applicant at the time of making such application shall pay to the Director the sum of $300 as an application fee and the additional sum of $450 as an annual license fee, for a period terminating on the last day of the current calendar year; provided that if the application is filed after June 30th in any year, such license fee shall be 1/2 of the annual license fee for such year.
    Before the license is granted, every applicant shall prove in form satisfactory to the Director that the applicant has and will maintain a positive net worth of a minimum of $30,000. Every applicant and licensee shall maintain a surety bond in the principal sum of $25,000 issued by a bonding company authorized to do business in this State and which shall be approved by the Director. Such bond shall run to the Director and shall be for the benefit of any consumer who incurs damages as a result of any violation of the Act or rules by a licensee. If the Director finds at any time that a bond is of insufficient size, is insecure, exhausted, or otherwise doubtful, an additional bond in such amount as determined by the Director shall be filed by the licensee within 30 days after written demand therefor by the Director. "Net worth" means total assets minus total liabilities.
(Source: P.A. 92‑398, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑32, eff. 7‑1‑03.)

    (205 ILCS 670/3) (from Ch. 17, par. 5403)
    Sec. 3. Appointment of attorney‑in‑fact for service of process. Every licensee shall appoint, in writing, the Director of Financial Institutions (hereinafter called Director) and his successors in office or any official who shall hereafter be charged with the administration of this Act, as attorney‑in‑fact upon whom all lawful process against such licensee may be served with the same legal force and validity as if served on such licensee. A copy of such written appointment, duly certified, shall be filed in the office of the Director; and a copy thereof certified by him shall be sufficient evidence. This appointment shall remain in effect while any liability remains outstanding in this State against the licensee. When summons is served upon the Director as attorney‑in‑fact for such licensee, the Director shall immediately notify the licensee by registered mail, enclosing the summons and specifying the hour and day of service.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 3526.)

    (205 ILCS 670/4) (from Ch. 17, par. 5404)
    Sec. 4. Investigation to determine whether license shall be issued. Upon the filing of an application and the payment of the fee, the Director shall investigate to determine (1) that the reputation of the applicant, including managers of a limited liability company, partners, owners, officers or directors thereof is such as to warrant belief that the business will be operated honestly and fairly within the purposes of this Act and (2) that the applicant meets the positive net worth requirement set forth in Section 2 of this Act. Unless the Director makes findings hereinabove enumerated, he or she shall not issue a license and shall notify the applicant of the denial and return to the applicant the sum paid by the applicant as a license fee, but shall retain the $300 application fee. The Director shall approve or deny every application for license hereunder within 60 days from the filing thereof with the fee.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98; 90‑575, eff. 3‑20‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/4.1) (from Ch. 17, par. 5404.1)
    Sec. 4.1. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 84‑1004. Repealed by P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/5) (from Ch. 17, par. 5405)
    Sec. 5. License. The license shall state the address, including city and state, at which the business is to be conducted and shall state fully the name of the licensee. The license shall be conspicuously posted in the place of business of the licensee and shall not be transferable or assignable.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/6) (from Ch. 17, par. 5406)
    Sec. 6. (Repealed).
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 3526. Repealed by P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/7) (from Ch. 17, par. 5407)
    Sec. 7. More than one license to same licensee ‑ Changing place of business.
    (a) Not more than one place of business shall be maintained under the same license, but the Director may issue more than one license to the same licensee upon compliance with all the provisions of this Act governing an original issuance of a license.
    (b) Whenever a licensee changes his place of business to a location other than that set forth in his license, he shall give written notice thereof to the Director, at least 10 days prior to the relocation. However, if the new location is in excess of 15 miles from the previous location, the licensee shall obtain written approval from the Director prior to the relocation.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/8) (from Ch. 17, par. 5408)
    Sec. 8. Annual license fee ‑ Expenses. Before the 15th day of each December, a licensee must pay to the Director, and the Department must receive, the annual license fee required by Section 2 for the next succeeding calendar year. The license shall expire on the first of January unless the license fee has been paid prior thereto.
    In addition to such license fee, the reasonable expense of any examination, investigation or custody by the Director under any provisions of this Act shall be borne by the licensee.
    If a licensee fails to renew his or her license by the 31st day of December, it shall automatically expire and the licensee is not entitled to a hearing; however, the Director, in his or her discretion, may reinstate an expired license upon payment of the annual renewal fee and proof of good cause for failure to renew.
(Source: P.A. 92‑398, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (205 ILCS 670/8.1)
    Sec. 8.1. All moneys received by the Department of Financial Institutions under this Act shall be deposited in the Financial Institutions Fund created under Section 6z‑26 of the State Finance Act.
(Source: P.A. 88‑13.)

    (205 ILCS 670/9) (from Ch. 17, par. 5409)
    Sec. 9. Fines, Suspension or Revocation of license.
    (a) The Director may, after 10 days notice by registered mail to the licensee at the address set forth in the license, stating the contemplated action and in general the grounds therefor, fine such licensee an amount not exceeding $10,000 per violation, or revoke or suspend any license issued hereunder if he or she finds that:
        (1) The licensee has failed to comply with any
     provision of this Act or any order, decision, finding, rule, regulation or direction of the Director lawfully made pursuant to the authority of this Act; or
        (2) Any fact or condition exists which, if it had
     existed at the time of the original application for the license, clearly would have warranted the Director in refusing to issue the license.
    (b) The Director may fine, suspend, or revoke only the particular license with respect to which grounds for the fine, revocation or suspension occur or exist, but if the Director shall find that grounds for revocation are of general application to all offices or to more than one office of the licensee, the Director shall fine, suspend, or revoke every license to which such grounds apply.
    (c) (Blank).
    (d) No revocation, suspension, or surrender of any license shall impair or affect the obligation of any pre‑existing lawful contract between the licensee and any obligor.
    (e) The Director may issue a new license to a licensee whose license has been revoked when facts or conditions which clearly would have warranted the Director in refusing originally to issue the license no longer exist.
    (f) (Blank).
    (g) In every case in which a license is suspended or revoked or an application for a license or renewal of a license is denied, the Director shall serve the licensee with notice of his or her action, including a statement of the reasons for his or her actions, either personally, or by certified mail, return receipt requested. Service by certified mail shall be deemed completed when the notice is deposited in the U.S. Mail.
    (h) An order assessing a fine, an order revoking or suspending a license or, an order denying renewal of a license shall take effect upon service of the order unless the licensee requests, in writing, within 10 days after the date of service, a hearing. In the event a hearing is requested, the order shall be stayed until a final administrative order is entered.
    (i) If the licensee requests a hearing, the Director shall schedule a hearing within 30 days after the request for a hearing unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.
    (j) The hearing shall be held at the time and place designated by the Director. The Director and any administrative law judge designated by him or her shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of books, papers, correspondence, and other records or information that he or she considers relevant or material to the inquiry.
    (k) The costs for the administrative hearing shall be set by rule.
    (l) The Director shall have the authority to prescribe rules for the administration of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/9.1)
    Sec. 9.1. Closing of business; surrender of license. At least 10 days prior to a licensee ceasing operations, closing business, or filing for bankruptcy, the licensee shall:
    (a) Notify the Department of its action in writing.
    (b) With the exception of filing for bankruptcy, surrender its license to the Director for cancellation. The surrender of the license shall not affect the licensee's civil or criminal liability for acts committed prior to surrender or entitle the licensee to a return of any part of the annual license fee.
    (c) The licensee shall notify the Department of the location where the books, accounts, contracts, and records will be maintained and the procedure to ensure prompt return of contracts, titles, and releases to the customers.
    (d) The accounts, books, records, and contracts shall be maintained and serviced by the licensee or another licensee under this Act, or an entity exempt from licensure under this Act.
    (e) The Department shall have the authority to conduct examinations of the books, records, and loan documents at any time after surrender of the license, filing of bankruptcy, or the cessation of operations.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98; 90‑575, eff. 3‑20‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/10) (from Ch. 17, par. 5410)
    Sec. 10. Investigation of conduct of business. For the purpose of discovering violations of this Act or securing information lawfully required by it, the Director may at any time investigate the loans and business and examine the books, accounts, records, and files used therein, of every licensee and of every person, partnership, association, limited liability company, and corporation engaged in the business described in Section 1 of this Act, whether such person, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall act or claim to act as principal or agent or within or without the authority of this Act. For such purpose the Director shall have free access to the offices and places of business, books, accounts, papers, records, files, safes, and vaults of such persons, partnerships, associations, limited liability companies, and corporations. The Director may require the attendance of and examine under oath all persons whose testimony he or she may require relative to such loans or such business, and in such cases the Director shall have power to administer oaths to all persons called as witnesses; and the Director may conduct such examinations.
    The Director shall make an examination of the affairs, business, office and records of each licensee at least once each year. The Director shall by rule and regulation set the fee to be charged for each examination day, including travel expenses for out‑of‑state licensed locations. The fee shall reasonably reflect actual costs. The Director shall also have authority to examine the books and records of any business made by a former licensee which is being liquidated, as the Director deems necessary, and may charge the examination fees otherwise required for licensees.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/11) (from Ch. 17, par. 5411)
    Sec. 11. Books and records ‑ Reports.
    (a) Every licensee shall retain and use in his business or at another location approved by the Director such records as are required by the Director to enable the Director to determine whether the licensee is complying with the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act. Every licensee shall preserve the records of any loan for at least 2 years after making the final entry for such loan. Accounting systems maintained in whole or in part by mechanical or electronic data processing methods which provide information equivalent to that otherwise required and follow generally accepted accounting principles are acceptable for that purpose, if approved by the Director in writing.
    (b) Each licensee shall annually, on or before the first day of March, file a report with the Director giving such relevant information as the Director may reasonably require concerning the business and operations during the preceding calendar year of each licensed place of business conducted by the licensee. The report must be received by the Department on or before March 1. The report shall be made under oath and in a form prescribed by the Director. Whenever a licensee operates 2 or more licensed offices or whenever 2 or more affiliated licensees operate licensed offices, a composite report of such group of licensed offices may be filed in lieu of individual reports. The Director may make and publish annually an analysis and recapitulation of such reports. The Director may fine each licensee $25 for each day beyond March 1 such report is filed.
(Source: P.A. 92‑398, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (205 ILCS 670/12) (from Ch. 17, par. 5412)
    Sec. 12. Other business.
    (a) Upon application by the licensee, and approval by the Director, the Director may approve the conduct of other businesses not specifically permitted by this Act in the licensee's place of business, unless the Director finds that such conduct will conceal or facilitate evasion or violation of this Act. Such approval shall be in writing and shall describe the other businesses which may be conducted in the licensed office.
    (b) A licensee may without notice to and approval of the Director, in addition to the business permitted by this Act, conduct the following business:
        (1) The business of a sales finance agency as
     defined in the Sales Finance Agency Act.
        (2) The business of soliciting or selling any type
     of insurance provided that all such insurance transactions are conducted in accordance with and are regulated under the Illinois Insurance Code.
        (3) The business of financing premiums for insurance.
        (4) Making loans pursuant to the Financial Services
     Development Act.
The Director shall make and enforce such reasonable rules and regulations for the conduct of business under this Act in the same office with other businesses as may be necessary to prevent evasions or violations of this Act. The Director may investigate any business conducted in the licensed office to determine whether any evasion or violation of this Act has occurred.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/12.5)
    Sec. 12.5. Limited purpose branch.
    (a) Upon the written approval of the Director, a licensee may maintain a limited purpose branch for the sole purpose of making loans as permitted by this Act. A limited purpose branch may include an automatic loan machine. No other activity shall be conducted at the site, including but not limited to, accepting payments, servicing the accounts, or collections.
    (b) The licensee must submit an application for a limited purpose branch to the Director on forms prescribed by the Director with an application fee of $300. The approval for the limited purpose branch must be renewed concurrently with the renewal of the licensee's license along with a renewal fee of $300 for the limited purpose branch.
    (c) The books, accounts, records, and files of the limited purpose branch's transactions shall be maintained at the licensee's licensed location. The licensee shall notify the Director of the licensed location at which the books, accounts, records, and files shall be maintained.
    (d) The licensee shall prominently display at the limited purpose branch the address and telephone number of the licensee's licensed location.
    (e) No other business shall be conducted at the site of the limited purpose branch unless authorized by the Director.
    (f) The Director shall make and enforce reasonable rules for the conduct of a limited purpose branch.
    (g) A limited purpose branch may not be located within 1,000 feet of a facility operated by an inter‑track wagering licensee or an organization licensee subject to the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, on a riverboat subject to the Riverboat Gambling Act, or within 1,000 feet of the location at which the riverboat docks.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/13) (from Ch. 17, par. 5413)
    Sec. 13. Prohibition against taking power of attorney. No licensee shall take any power of attorney except to cancel any policies of insurance financed by the licensee as permitted by this Act and to receive either rebate of unearned premiums or loss payments.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/14) (from Ch. 17, par. 5414)
    Sec. 14. Pledge or sale of note. No licensee or other person shall pledge, hypothecate or sell a note entered into under the provisions of this Act by an obligor except to another licensee under this Act, a licensee under the Sales Finance Agency Act, a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union created under the laws of this State or the United States, or to other persons or entities authorized by the Director in writing. Sales of such notes by licensees under this Act or other persons shall be made by agreement in writing and shall authorize the Director to examine the loan documents so hypothecated, pledged, or sold.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/15)(from Ch. 17, par. 5415)
    (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 96‑936)
    Sec. 15. Charges permitted.
    (a) Every licensee may lend a principal amount not exceeding $40,000 and may charge, contract for and receive thereon interest at the rate agreed upon by the licensee and the borrower, subject to the provisions of this Act.
    (b) For purpose of this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein.
    "Applicable interest" for a precomputed loan contract means the amount of interest attributable to each monthly installment period. It is computed as if each installment period were one month and any interest charged for extending the first installment period beyond one month is ignored. The applicable interest for any monthly installment period is that portion of the precomputed interest that bears the same ratio to the total precomputed interest as the balances scheduled to be outstanding during that month bear to the sum of all scheduled monthly outstanding balances in the original contract.
    "Interest‑bearing loan" means a loan in which the debt is expressed as a principal amount plus interest charged on actual unpaid principal balances for the time actually outstanding.
    "Precomputed loan" means a loan in which the debt is expressed as the sum of the original principal amount plus interest computed actuarially in advance, assuming all payments will be made when scheduled.
    (c) Loans may be interest‑bearing or precomputed.
    (d) To compute time for either interest‑bearing or precomputed loans for the calculation of interest and other purposes, a month shall be a calendar month and a day shall be considered 1/30th of a month when calculation is made for a fraction of a month. A month shall be 1/12th of a year. A calendar month is that period from a given date in one month to the same numbered date in the following month, and if there is no same numbered date, to the last day of the following month. When a period of time includes a month and a fraction of a month, the fraction of the month is considered to follow the whole month. In the alternative, for interest‑bearing loans, the licensee may charge interest at the rate of 1/365th of the agreed annual rate for each day actually elapsed.
    (e) With respect to interest‑bearing loans:
        (1) Interest shall be computed on unpaid principal
     balances outstanding from time to time, for the time outstanding, until fully paid. Each payment shall be applied first to the accumulated interest and the remainder of the payment applied to the unpaid principal balance; provided however, that if the amount of the payment is insufficient to pay the accumulated interest, the unpaid interest continues to accumulate to be paid from the proceeds of subsequent payments and is not added to the principal balance.
        (2) Interest shall not be payable in advance or
     compounded. However, if part or all of the consideration for a new loan contract is the unpaid principal balance of a prior loan, then the principal amount payable under the new loan contract may include any unpaid interest which has accrued. The unpaid principal balance of a precomputed loan is the balance due after refund or credit of unearned interest as provided in paragraph (f), clause (3). The resulting loan contract shall be deemed a new and separate loan transaction for all purposes.
        (3) Loans may be payable as agreed between the
     parties, including payment at irregular times or in unequal amounts and rates that may vary with an index that is independently verifiable and beyond the control of the licensee.
        (4) The lender or creditor may, if the contract
     provides, collect a delinquency or collection charge on each installment in default for a period of not less than 10 days in an amount not exceeding 5% of the installment on installments in excess of $200, or $10 on installments of $200 or less, but only one delinquency and collection charge may be collected on any installment regardless of the period during which it remains in default.
    (f) With respect to precomputed loans:
        (1) Loans shall be repayable in substantially equal
     and consecutive monthly installments of principal and interest combined, except that the first installment period may be longer than one month by not more than 15 days, and the first installment payment amount may be larger than the remaining payments by the amount of interest charged for the extra days; and provided further that monthly installment payment dates may be omitted to accommodate borrowers with seasonal income.
        (2) Payments may be applied to the combined total of
     principal and precomputed interest until the loan is fully paid. Payments shall be applied in the order in which they become due, except that any insurance proceeds received as a result of any claim made on any insurance, unless sufficient to prepay the contract in full, may be applied to the unpaid installments of the total of payments in inverse order.
        (3) When any loan contract is paid in full by cash,
     renewal or refinancing, or a new loan, one month or more before the final installment due date, a licensee shall refund or credit the obligor with the total of the applicable interest for all fully unexpired installment periods, as originally scheduled or as deferred, which follow the day of prepayment; provided, if the prepayment occurs prior to the first installment due date, the licensee may retain 1/30 of the applicable interest for a first installment period of one month for each day from the date of the loan to the date of prepayment, and shall refund or credit the obligor with the balance of the total interest contracted for. If the maturity of the loan is accelerated for any reason and judgment is entered, the licensee shall credit the borrower with the same refund as if prepayment in full had been made on the date the judgement is entered.
        (4) The lender or creditor may, if the contract
     provides, collect a delinquency or collection charge on each installment in default for a period of not less than 10 days in an amount not exceeding 5% of the installment on installments in excess of $200, or $10 on installments of $200 or less, but only one delinquency or collection charge may be collected on any installment regardless of the period during which it remains in default.
        (5) If the parties agree in writing, either in the
     loan contract or in a subsequent agreement, to a deferment of wholly unpaid installments, a licensee may grant a deferment and may collect a deferment charge as provided in this Section. A deferment postpones the scheduled due date of the earliest unpaid installment and all subsequent installments as originally scheduled, or as previously deferred, for a period equal to the deferment period. The deferment period is that period during which no installment is scheduled to be paid by reason of the deferment. The deferment charge for a one month period may not exceed the applicable interest for the installment period immediately following the due date of the last undeferred payment. A proportionate charge may be made for deferment for periods of more or less than one month. A deferment charge is earned pro rata during the deferment period and is fully earned on the last day of the deferment period. Should a loan be prepaid in full during a deferment period, the licensee shall credit to the obligor a refund of the unearned deferment charge in addition to any other refund or credit made for prepayment of the loan in full.
        (6) If two or more installments are delinquent one
     full month or more on any due date, and if the contract so pr

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Illinois > Chapter205 > 1204

    (205 ILCS 670/1)(from Ch. 17, par. 5401)
    (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 96‑936)
    Sec. 1. License required to engage in business. No person, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall engage in the business of making loans of money in a principal amount not exceeding $25,000, and charge, contract for, or receive on any such loan a greater rate of interest, discount, or consideration therefor than the lender would be permitted by law to charge if he were not a licensee hereunder, except as authorized by this Act after first obtaining a license from the Director of Financial Institutions (hereinafter called the Director).
(Source: P.A. 89‑400, eff. 8‑20‑95; 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)
 
    (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96‑936)
    Sec. 1. License required to engage in business. No person, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall engage in the business of making loans of money in a principal amount not exceeding $40,000, and charge, contract for, or receive on any such loan a greater rate of interest, discount, or consideration therefor than the lender would be permitted by law to charge if he were not a licensee hereunder, except as authorized by this Act after first obtaining a license from the Director of Financial Institutions (hereinafter called the Director). No licensee, or employee or affiliate thereof, that is licensed under the Payday Loan Reform Act shall obtain a license under this Act except that a licensee under the Payday Loan Reform Act may obtain a license under this Act for the exclusive purpose and use of making title‑secured loans, as defined in subsection (a) of Section 15 of this Act and governed by Title 38, Section 110.300 of the Illinois Administrative Code.
(Source: P.A. 96‑936, eff. 3‑21‑11.)

    (205 ILCS 670/2) (from Ch. 17, par. 5402)
    Sec. 2. Application; fees; positive net worth. Application for such license shall be in writing, and in the form prescribed by the Director. Such applicant at the time of making such application shall pay to the Director the sum of $300 as an application fee and the additional sum of $450 as an annual license fee, for a period terminating on the last day of the current calendar year; provided that if the application is filed after June 30th in any year, such license fee shall be 1/2 of the annual license fee for such year.
    Before the license is granted, every applicant shall prove in form satisfactory to the Director that the applicant has and will maintain a positive net worth of a minimum of $30,000. Every applicant and licensee shall maintain a surety bond in the principal sum of $25,000 issued by a bonding company authorized to do business in this State and which shall be approved by the Director. Such bond shall run to the Director and shall be for the benefit of any consumer who incurs damages as a result of any violation of the Act or rules by a licensee. If the Director finds at any time that a bond is of insufficient size, is insecure, exhausted, or otherwise doubtful, an additional bond in such amount as determined by the Director shall be filed by the licensee within 30 days after written demand therefor by the Director. "Net worth" means total assets minus total liabilities.
(Source: P.A. 92‑398, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑32, eff. 7‑1‑03.)

    (205 ILCS 670/3) (from Ch. 17, par. 5403)
    Sec. 3. Appointment of attorney‑in‑fact for service of process. Every licensee shall appoint, in writing, the Director of Financial Institutions (hereinafter called Director) and his successors in office or any official who shall hereafter be charged with the administration of this Act, as attorney‑in‑fact upon whom all lawful process against such licensee may be served with the same legal force and validity as if served on such licensee. A copy of such written appointment, duly certified, shall be filed in the office of the Director; and a copy thereof certified by him shall be sufficient evidence. This appointment shall remain in effect while any liability remains outstanding in this State against the licensee. When summons is served upon the Director as attorney‑in‑fact for such licensee, the Director shall immediately notify the licensee by registered mail, enclosing the summons and specifying the hour and day of service.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 3526.)

    (205 ILCS 670/4) (from Ch. 17, par. 5404)
    Sec. 4. Investigation to determine whether license shall be issued. Upon the filing of an application and the payment of the fee, the Director shall investigate to determine (1) that the reputation of the applicant, including managers of a limited liability company, partners, owners, officers or directors thereof is such as to warrant belief that the business will be operated honestly and fairly within the purposes of this Act and (2) that the applicant meets the positive net worth requirement set forth in Section 2 of this Act. Unless the Director makes findings hereinabove enumerated, he or she shall not issue a license and shall notify the applicant of the denial and return to the applicant the sum paid by the applicant as a license fee, but shall retain the $300 application fee. The Director shall approve or deny every application for license hereunder within 60 days from the filing thereof with the fee.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98; 90‑575, eff. 3‑20‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/4.1) (from Ch. 17, par. 5404.1)
    Sec. 4.1. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 84‑1004. Repealed by P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/5) (from Ch. 17, par. 5405)
    Sec. 5. License. The license shall state the address, including city and state, at which the business is to be conducted and shall state fully the name of the licensee. The license shall be conspicuously posted in the place of business of the licensee and shall not be transferable or assignable.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/6) (from Ch. 17, par. 5406)
    Sec. 6. (Repealed).
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 3526. Repealed by P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/7) (from Ch. 17, par. 5407)
    Sec. 7. More than one license to same licensee ‑ Changing place of business.
    (a) Not more than one place of business shall be maintained under the same license, but the Director may issue more than one license to the same licensee upon compliance with all the provisions of this Act governing an original issuance of a license.
    (b) Whenever a licensee changes his place of business to a location other than that set forth in his license, he shall give written notice thereof to the Director, at least 10 days prior to the relocation. However, if the new location is in excess of 15 miles from the previous location, the licensee shall obtain written approval from the Director prior to the relocation.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/8) (from Ch. 17, par. 5408)
    Sec. 8. Annual license fee ‑ Expenses. Before the 15th day of each December, a licensee must pay to the Director, and the Department must receive, the annual license fee required by Section 2 for the next succeeding calendar year. The license shall expire on the first of January unless the license fee has been paid prior thereto.
    In addition to such license fee, the reasonable expense of any examination, investigation or custody by the Director under any provisions of this Act shall be borne by the licensee.
    If a licensee fails to renew his or her license by the 31st day of December, it shall automatically expire and the licensee is not entitled to a hearing; however, the Director, in his or her discretion, may reinstate an expired license upon payment of the annual renewal fee and proof of good cause for failure to renew.
(Source: P.A. 92‑398, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (205 ILCS 670/8.1)
    Sec. 8.1. All moneys received by the Department of Financial Institutions under this Act shall be deposited in the Financial Institutions Fund created under Section 6z‑26 of the State Finance Act.
(Source: P.A. 88‑13.)

    (205 ILCS 670/9) (from Ch. 17, par. 5409)
    Sec. 9. Fines, Suspension or Revocation of license.
    (a) The Director may, after 10 days notice by registered mail to the licensee at the address set forth in the license, stating the contemplated action and in general the grounds therefor, fine such licensee an amount not exceeding $10,000 per violation, or revoke or suspend any license issued hereunder if he or she finds that:
        (1) The licensee has failed to comply with any
     provision of this Act or any order, decision, finding, rule, regulation or direction of the Director lawfully made pursuant to the authority of this Act; or
        (2) Any fact or condition exists which, if it had
     existed at the time of the original application for the license, clearly would have warranted the Director in refusing to issue the license.
    (b) The Director may fine, suspend, or revoke only the particular license with respect to which grounds for the fine, revocation or suspension occur or exist, but if the Director shall find that grounds for revocation are of general application to all offices or to more than one office of the licensee, the Director shall fine, suspend, or revoke every license to which such grounds apply.
    (c) (Blank).
    (d) No revocation, suspension, or surrender of any license shall impair or affect the obligation of any pre‑existing lawful contract between the licensee and any obligor.
    (e) The Director may issue a new license to a licensee whose license has been revoked when facts or conditions which clearly would have warranted the Director in refusing originally to issue the license no longer exist.
    (f) (Blank).
    (g) In every case in which a license is suspended or revoked or an application for a license or renewal of a license is denied, the Director shall serve the licensee with notice of his or her action, including a statement of the reasons for his or her actions, either personally, or by certified mail, return receipt requested. Service by certified mail shall be deemed completed when the notice is deposited in the U.S. Mail.
    (h) An order assessing a fine, an order revoking or suspending a license or, an order denying renewal of a license shall take effect upon service of the order unless the licensee requests, in writing, within 10 days after the date of service, a hearing. In the event a hearing is requested, the order shall be stayed until a final administrative order is entered.
    (i) If the licensee requests a hearing, the Director shall schedule a hearing within 30 days after the request for a hearing unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.
    (j) The hearing shall be held at the time and place designated by the Director. The Director and any administrative law judge designated by him or her shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of books, papers, correspondence, and other records or information that he or she considers relevant or material to the inquiry.
    (k) The costs for the administrative hearing shall be set by rule.
    (l) The Director shall have the authority to prescribe rules for the administration of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/9.1)
    Sec. 9.1. Closing of business; surrender of license. At least 10 days prior to a licensee ceasing operations, closing business, or filing for bankruptcy, the licensee shall:
    (a) Notify the Department of its action in writing.
    (b) With the exception of filing for bankruptcy, surrender its license to the Director for cancellation. The surrender of the license shall not affect the licensee's civil or criminal liability for acts committed prior to surrender or entitle the licensee to a return of any part of the annual license fee.
    (c) The licensee shall notify the Department of the location where the books, accounts, contracts, and records will be maintained and the procedure to ensure prompt return of contracts, titles, and releases to the customers.
    (d) The accounts, books, records, and contracts shall be maintained and serviced by the licensee or another licensee under this Act, or an entity exempt from licensure under this Act.
    (e) The Department shall have the authority to conduct examinations of the books, records, and loan documents at any time after surrender of the license, filing of bankruptcy, or the cessation of operations.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98; 90‑575, eff. 3‑20‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/10) (from Ch. 17, par. 5410)
    Sec. 10. Investigation of conduct of business. For the purpose of discovering violations of this Act or securing information lawfully required by it, the Director may at any time investigate the loans and business and examine the books, accounts, records, and files used therein, of every licensee and of every person, partnership, association, limited liability company, and corporation engaged in the business described in Section 1 of this Act, whether such person, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall act or claim to act as principal or agent or within or without the authority of this Act. For such purpose the Director shall have free access to the offices and places of business, books, accounts, papers, records, files, safes, and vaults of such persons, partnerships, associations, limited liability companies, and corporations. The Director may require the attendance of and examine under oath all persons whose testimony he or she may require relative to such loans or such business, and in such cases the Director shall have power to administer oaths to all persons called as witnesses; and the Director may conduct such examinations.
    The Director shall make an examination of the affairs, business, office and records of each licensee at least once each year. The Director shall by rule and regulation set the fee to be charged for each examination day, including travel expenses for out‑of‑state licensed locations. The fee shall reasonably reflect actual costs. The Director shall also have authority to examine the books and records of any business made by a former licensee which is being liquidated, as the Director deems necessary, and may charge the examination fees otherwise required for licensees.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/11) (from Ch. 17, par. 5411)
    Sec. 11. Books and records ‑ Reports.
    (a) Every licensee shall retain and use in his business or at another location approved by the Director such records as are required by the Director to enable the Director to determine whether the licensee is complying with the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act. Every licensee shall preserve the records of any loan for at least 2 years after making the final entry for such loan. Accounting systems maintained in whole or in part by mechanical or electronic data processing methods which provide information equivalent to that otherwise required and follow generally accepted accounting principles are acceptable for that purpose, if approved by the Director in writing.
    (b) Each licensee shall annually, on or before the first day of March, file a report with the Director giving such relevant information as the Director may reasonably require concerning the business and operations during the preceding calendar year of each licensed place of business conducted by the licensee. The report must be received by the Department on or before March 1. The report shall be made under oath and in a form prescribed by the Director. Whenever a licensee operates 2 or more licensed offices or whenever 2 or more affiliated licensees operate licensed offices, a composite report of such group of licensed offices may be filed in lieu of individual reports. The Director may make and publish annually an analysis and recapitulation of such reports. The Director may fine each licensee $25 for each day beyond March 1 such report is filed.
(Source: P.A. 92‑398, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (205 ILCS 670/12) (from Ch. 17, par. 5412)
    Sec. 12. Other business.
    (a) Upon application by the licensee, and approval by the Director, the Director may approve the conduct of other businesses not specifically permitted by this Act in the licensee's place of business, unless the Director finds that such conduct will conceal or facilitate evasion or violation of this Act. Such approval shall be in writing and shall describe the other businesses which may be conducted in the licensed office.
    (b) A licensee may without notice to and approval of the Director, in addition to the business permitted by this Act, conduct the following business:
        (1) The business of a sales finance agency as
     defined in the Sales Finance Agency Act.
        (2) The business of soliciting or selling any type
     of insurance provided that all such insurance transactions are conducted in accordance with and are regulated under the Illinois Insurance Code.
        (3) The business of financing premiums for insurance.
        (4) Making loans pursuant to the Financial Services
     Development Act.
The Director shall make and enforce such reasonable rules and regulations for the conduct of business under this Act in the same office with other businesses as may be necessary to prevent evasions or violations of this Act. The Director may investigate any business conducted in the licensed office to determine whether any evasion or violation of this Act has occurred.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/12.5)
    Sec. 12.5. Limited purpose branch.
    (a) Upon the written approval of the Director, a licensee may maintain a limited purpose branch for the sole purpose of making loans as permitted by this Act. A limited purpose branch may include an automatic loan machine. No other activity shall be conducted at the site, including but not limited to, accepting payments, servicing the accounts, or collections.
    (b) The licensee must submit an application for a limited purpose branch to the Director on forms prescribed by the Director with an application fee of $300. The approval for the limited purpose branch must be renewed concurrently with the renewal of the licensee's license along with a renewal fee of $300 for the limited purpose branch.
    (c) The books, accounts, records, and files of the limited purpose branch's transactions shall be maintained at the licensee's licensed location. The licensee shall notify the Director of the licensed location at which the books, accounts, records, and files shall be maintained.
    (d) The licensee shall prominently display at the limited purpose branch the address and telephone number of the licensee's licensed location.
    (e) No other business shall be conducted at the site of the limited purpose branch unless authorized by the Director.
    (f) The Director shall make and enforce reasonable rules for the conduct of a limited purpose branch.
    (g) A limited purpose branch may not be located within 1,000 feet of a facility operated by an inter‑track wagering licensee or an organization licensee subject to the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, on a riverboat subject to the Riverboat Gambling Act, or within 1,000 feet of the location at which the riverboat docks.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/13) (from Ch. 17, par. 5413)
    Sec. 13. Prohibition against taking power of attorney. No licensee shall take any power of attorney except to cancel any policies of insurance financed by the licensee as permitted by this Act and to receive either rebate of unearned premiums or loss payments.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/14) (from Ch. 17, par. 5414)
    Sec. 14. Pledge or sale of note. No licensee or other person shall pledge, hypothecate or sell a note entered into under the provisions of this Act by an obligor except to another licensee under this Act, a licensee under the Sales Finance Agency Act, a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union created under the laws of this State or the United States, or to other persons or entities authorized by the Director in writing. Sales of such notes by licensees under this Act or other persons shall be made by agreement in writing and shall authorize the Director to examine the loan documents so hypothecated, pledged, or sold.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/15)(from Ch. 17, par. 5415)
    (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 96‑936)
    Sec. 15. Charges permitted.
    (a) Every licensee may lend a principal amount not exceeding $40,000 and may charge, contract for and receive thereon interest at the rate agreed upon by the licensee and the borrower, subject to the provisions of this Act.
    (b) For purpose of this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein.
    "Applicable interest" for a precomputed loan contract means the amount of interest attributable to each monthly installment period. It is computed as if each installment period were one month and any interest charged for extending the first installment period beyond one month is ignored. The applicable interest for any monthly installment period is that portion of the precomputed interest that bears the same ratio to the total precomputed interest as the balances scheduled to be outstanding during that month bear to the sum of all scheduled monthly outstanding balances in the original contract.
    "Interest‑bearing loan" means a loan in which the debt is expressed as a principal amount plus interest charged on actual unpaid principal balances for the time actually outstanding.
    "Precomputed loan" means a loan in which the debt is expressed as the sum of the original principal amount plus interest computed actuarially in advance, assuming all payments will be made when scheduled.
    (c) Loans may be interest‑bearing or precomputed.
    (d) To compute time for either interest‑bearing or precomputed loans for the calculation of interest and other purposes, a month shall be a calendar month and a day shall be considered 1/30th of a month when calculation is made for a fraction of a month. A month shall be 1/12th of a year. A calendar month is that period from a given date in one month to the same numbered date in the following month, and if there is no same numbered date, to the last day of the following month. When a period of time includes a month and a fraction of a month, the fraction of the month is considered to follow the whole month. In the alternative, for interest‑bearing loans, the licensee may charge interest at the rate of 1/365th of the agreed annual rate for each day actually elapsed.
    (e) With respect to interest‑bearing loans:
        (1) Interest shall be computed on unpaid principal
     balances outstanding from time to time, for the time outstanding, until fully paid. Each payment shall be applied first to the accumulated interest and the remainder of the payment applied to the unpaid principal balance; provided however, that if the amount of the payment is insufficient to pay the accumulated interest, the unpaid interest continues to accumulate to be paid from the proceeds of subsequent payments and is not added to the principal balance.
        (2) Interest shall not be payable in advance or
     compounded. However, if part or all of the consideration for a new loan contract is the unpaid principal balance of a prior loan, then the principal amount payable under the new loan contract may include any unpaid interest which has accrued. The unpaid principal balance of a precomputed loan is the balance due after refund or credit of unearned interest as provided in paragraph (f), clause (3). The resulting loan contract shall be deemed a new and separate loan transaction for all purposes.
        (3) Loans may be payable as agreed between the
     parties, including payment at irregular times or in unequal amounts and rates that may vary with an index that is independently verifiable and beyond the control of the licensee.
        (4) The lender or creditor may, if the contract
     provides, collect a delinquency or collection charge on each installment in default for a period of not less than 10 days in an amount not exceeding 5% of the installment on installments in excess of $200, or $10 on installments of $200 or less, but only one delinquency and collection charge may be collected on any installment regardless of the period during which it remains in default.
    (f) With respect to precomputed loans:
        (1) Loans shall be repayable in substantially equal
     and consecutive monthly installments of principal and interest combined, except that the first installment period may be longer than one month by not more than 15 days, and the first installment payment amount may be larger than the remaining payments by the amount of interest charged for the extra days; and provided further that monthly installment payment dates may be omitted to accommodate borrowers with seasonal income.
        (2) Payments may be applied to the combined total of
     principal and precomputed interest until the loan is fully paid. Payments shall be applied in the order in which they become due, except that any insurance proceeds received as a result of any claim made on any insurance, unless sufficient to prepay the contract in full, may be applied to the unpaid installments of the total of payments in inverse order.
        (3) When any loan contract is paid in full by cash,
     renewal or refinancing, or a new loan, one month or more before the final installment due date, a licensee shall refund or credit the obligor with the total of the applicable interest for all fully unexpired installment periods, as originally scheduled or as deferred, which follow the day of prepayment; provided, if the prepayment occurs prior to the first installment due date, the licensee may retain 1/30 of the applicable interest for a first installment period of one month for each day from the date of the loan to the date of prepayment, and shall refund or credit the obligor with the balance of the total interest contracted for. If the maturity of the loan is accelerated for any reason and judgment is entered, the licensee shall credit the borrower with the same refund as if prepayment in full had been made on the date the judgement is entered.
        (4) The lender or creditor may, if the contract
     provides, collect a delinquency or collection charge on each installment in default for a period of not less than 10 days in an amount not exceeding 5% of the installment on installments in excess of $200, or $10 on installments of $200 or less, but only one delinquency or collection charge may be collected on any installment regardless of the period during which it remains in default.
        (5) If the parties agree in writing, either in the
     loan contract or in a subsequent agreement, to a deferment of wholly unpaid installments, a licensee may grant a deferment and may collect a deferment charge as provided in this Section. A deferment postpones the scheduled due date of the earliest unpaid installment and all subsequent installments as originally scheduled, or as previously deferred, for a period equal to the deferment period. The deferment period is that period during which no installment is scheduled to be paid by reason of the deferment. The deferment charge for a one month period may not exceed the applicable interest for the installment period immediately following the due date of the last undeferred payment. A proportionate charge may be made for deferment for periods of more or less than one month. A deferment charge is earned pro rata during the deferment period and is fully earned on the last day of the deferment period. Should a loan be prepaid in full during a deferment period, the licensee shall credit to the obligor a refund of the unearned deferment charge in addition to any other refund or credit made for prepayment of the loan in full.
        (6) If two or more installments are delinquent one
     full month or more on any due date, and if the contract so pr

State Codes and Statutes

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Illinois > Chapter205 > 1204

    (205 ILCS 670/1)(from Ch. 17, par. 5401)
    (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 96‑936)
    Sec. 1. License required to engage in business. No person, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall engage in the business of making loans of money in a principal amount not exceeding $25,000, and charge, contract for, or receive on any such loan a greater rate of interest, discount, or consideration therefor than the lender would be permitted by law to charge if he were not a licensee hereunder, except as authorized by this Act after first obtaining a license from the Director of Financial Institutions (hereinafter called the Director).
(Source: P.A. 89‑400, eff. 8‑20‑95; 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)
 
    (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96‑936)
    Sec. 1. License required to engage in business. No person, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall engage in the business of making loans of money in a principal amount not exceeding $40,000, and charge, contract for, or receive on any such loan a greater rate of interest, discount, or consideration therefor than the lender would be permitted by law to charge if he were not a licensee hereunder, except as authorized by this Act after first obtaining a license from the Director of Financial Institutions (hereinafter called the Director). No licensee, or employee or affiliate thereof, that is licensed under the Payday Loan Reform Act shall obtain a license under this Act except that a licensee under the Payday Loan Reform Act may obtain a license under this Act for the exclusive purpose and use of making title‑secured loans, as defined in subsection (a) of Section 15 of this Act and governed by Title 38, Section 110.300 of the Illinois Administrative Code.
(Source: P.A. 96‑936, eff. 3‑21‑11.)

    (205 ILCS 670/2) (from Ch. 17, par. 5402)
    Sec. 2. Application; fees; positive net worth. Application for such license shall be in writing, and in the form prescribed by the Director. Such applicant at the time of making such application shall pay to the Director the sum of $300 as an application fee and the additional sum of $450 as an annual license fee, for a period terminating on the last day of the current calendar year; provided that if the application is filed after June 30th in any year, such license fee shall be 1/2 of the annual license fee for such year.
    Before the license is granted, every applicant shall prove in form satisfactory to the Director that the applicant has and will maintain a positive net worth of a minimum of $30,000. Every applicant and licensee shall maintain a surety bond in the principal sum of $25,000 issued by a bonding company authorized to do business in this State and which shall be approved by the Director. Such bond shall run to the Director and shall be for the benefit of any consumer who incurs damages as a result of any violation of the Act or rules by a licensee. If the Director finds at any time that a bond is of insufficient size, is insecure, exhausted, or otherwise doubtful, an additional bond in such amount as determined by the Director shall be filed by the licensee within 30 days after written demand therefor by the Director. "Net worth" means total assets minus total liabilities.
(Source: P.A. 92‑398, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑32, eff. 7‑1‑03.)

    (205 ILCS 670/3) (from Ch. 17, par. 5403)
    Sec. 3. Appointment of attorney‑in‑fact for service of process. Every licensee shall appoint, in writing, the Director of Financial Institutions (hereinafter called Director) and his successors in office or any official who shall hereafter be charged with the administration of this Act, as attorney‑in‑fact upon whom all lawful process against such licensee may be served with the same legal force and validity as if served on such licensee. A copy of such written appointment, duly certified, shall be filed in the office of the Director; and a copy thereof certified by him shall be sufficient evidence. This appointment shall remain in effect while any liability remains outstanding in this State against the licensee. When summons is served upon the Director as attorney‑in‑fact for such licensee, the Director shall immediately notify the licensee by registered mail, enclosing the summons and specifying the hour and day of service.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 3526.)

    (205 ILCS 670/4) (from Ch. 17, par. 5404)
    Sec. 4. Investigation to determine whether license shall be issued. Upon the filing of an application and the payment of the fee, the Director shall investigate to determine (1) that the reputation of the applicant, including managers of a limited liability company, partners, owners, officers or directors thereof is such as to warrant belief that the business will be operated honestly and fairly within the purposes of this Act and (2) that the applicant meets the positive net worth requirement set forth in Section 2 of this Act. Unless the Director makes findings hereinabove enumerated, he or she shall not issue a license and shall notify the applicant of the denial and return to the applicant the sum paid by the applicant as a license fee, but shall retain the $300 application fee. The Director shall approve or deny every application for license hereunder within 60 days from the filing thereof with the fee.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98; 90‑575, eff. 3‑20‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/4.1) (from Ch. 17, par. 5404.1)
    Sec. 4.1. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 84‑1004. Repealed by P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/5) (from Ch. 17, par. 5405)
    Sec. 5. License. The license shall state the address, including city and state, at which the business is to be conducted and shall state fully the name of the licensee. The license shall be conspicuously posted in the place of business of the licensee and shall not be transferable or assignable.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/6) (from Ch. 17, par. 5406)
    Sec. 6. (Repealed).
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 3526. Repealed by P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/7) (from Ch. 17, par. 5407)
    Sec. 7. More than one license to same licensee ‑ Changing place of business.
    (a) Not more than one place of business shall be maintained under the same license, but the Director may issue more than one license to the same licensee upon compliance with all the provisions of this Act governing an original issuance of a license.
    (b) Whenever a licensee changes his place of business to a location other than that set forth in his license, he shall give written notice thereof to the Director, at least 10 days prior to the relocation. However, if the new location is in excess of 15 miles from the previous location, the licensee shall obtain written approval from the Director prior to the relocation.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/8) (from Ch. 17, par. 5408)
    Sec. 8. Annual license fee ‑ Expenses. Before the 15th day of each December, a licensee must pay to the Director, and the Department must receive, the annual license fee required by Section 2 for the next succeeding calendar year. The license shall expire on the first of January unless the license fee has been paid prior thereto.
    In addition to such license fee, the reasonable expense of any examination, investigation or custody by the Director under any provisions of this Act shall be borne by the licensee.
    If a licensee fails to renew his or her license by the 31st day of December, it shall automatically expire and the licensee is not entitled to a hearing; however, the Director, in his or her discretion, may reinstate an expired license upon payment of the annual renewal fee and proof of good cause for failure to renew.
(Source: P.A. 92‑398, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (205 ILCS 670/8.1)
    Sec. 8.1. All moneys received by the Department of Financial Institutions under this Act shall be deposited in the Financial Institutions Fund created under Section 6z‑26 of the State Finance Act.
(Source: P.A. 88‑13.)

    (205 ILCS 670/9) (from Ch. 17, par. 5409)
    Sec. 9. Fines, Suspension or Revocation of license.
    (a) The Director may, after 10 days notice by registered mail to the licensee at the address set forth in the license, stating the contemplated action and in general the grounds therefor, fine such licensee an amount not exceeding $10,000 per violation, or revoke or suspend any license issued hereunder if he or she finds that:
        (1) The licensee has failed to comply with any
     provision of this Act or any order, decision, finding, rule, regulation or direction of the Director lawfully made pursuant to the authority of this Act; or
        (2) Any fact or condition exists which, if it had
     existed at the time of the original application for the license, clearly would have warranted the Director in refusing to issue the license.
    (b) The Director may fine, suspend, or revoke only the particular license with respect to which grounds for the fine, revocation or suspension occur or exist, but if the Director shall find that grounds for revocation are of general application to all offices or to more than one office of the licensee, the Director shall fine, suspend, or revoke every license to which such grounds apply.
    (c) (Blank).
    (d) No revocation, suspension, or surrender of any license shall impair or affect the obligation of any pre‑existing lawful contract between the licensee and any obligor.
    (e) The Director may issue a new license to a licensee whose license has been revoked when facts or conditions which clearly would have warranted the Director in refusing originally to issue the license no longer exist.
    (f) (Blank).
    (g) In every case in which a license is suspended or revoked or an application for a license or renewal of a license is denied, the Director shall serve the licensee with notice of his or her action, including a statement of the reasons for his or her actions, either personally, or by certified mail, return receipt requested. Service by certified mail shall be deemed completed when the notice is deposited in the U.S. Mail.
    (h) An order assessing a fine, an order revoking or suspending a license or, an order denying renewal of a license shall take effect upon service of the order unless the licensee requests, in writing, within 10 days after the date of service, a hearing. In the event a hearing is requested, the order shall be stayed until a final administrative order is entered.
    (i) If the licensee requests a hearing, the Director shall schedule a hearing within 30 days after the request for a hearing unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.
    (j) The hearing shall be held at the time and place designated by the Director. The Director and any administrative law judge designated by him or her shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of books, papers, correspondence, and other records or information that he or she considers relevant or material to the inquiry.
    (k) The costs for the administrative hearing shall be set by rule.
    (l) The Director shall have the authority to prescribe rules for the administration of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/9.1)
    Sec. 9.1. Closing of business; surrender of license. At least 10 days prior to a licensee ceasing operations, closing business, or filing for bankruptcy, the licensee shall:
    (a) Notify the Department of its action in writing.
    (b) With the exception of filing for bankruptcy, surrender its license to the Director for cancellation. The surrender of the license shall not affect the licensee's civil or criminal liability for acts committed prior to surrender or entitle the licensee to a return of any part of the annual license fee.
    (c) The licensee shall notify the Department of the location where the books, accounts, contracts, and records will be maintained and the procedure to ensure prompt return of contracts, titles, and releases to the customers.
    (d) The accounts, books, records, and contracts shall be maintained and serviced by the licensee or another licensee under this Act, or an entity exempt from licensure under this Act.
    (e) The Department shall have the authority to conduct examinations of the books, records, and loan documents at any time after surrender of the license, filing of bankruptcy, or the cessation of operations.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98; 90‑575, eff. 3‑20‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/10) (from Ch. 17, par. 5410)
    Sec. 10. Investigation of conduct of business. For the purpose of discovering violations of this Act or securing information lawfully required by it, the Director may at any time investigate the loans and business and examine the books, accounts, records, and files used therein, of every licensee and of every person, partnership, association, limited liability company, and corporation engaged in the business described in Section 1 of this Act, whether such person, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall act or claim to act as principal or agent or within or without the authority of this Act. For such purpose the Director shall have free access to the offices and places of business, books, accounts, papers, records, files, safes, and vaults of such persons, partnerships, associations, limited liability companies, and corporations. The Director may require the attendance of and examine under oath all persons whose testimony he or she may require relative to such loans or such business, and in such cases the Director shall have power to administer oaths to all persons called as witnesses; and the Director may conduct such examinations.
    The Director shall make an examination of the affairs, business, office and records of each licensee at least once each year. The Director shall by rule and regulation set the fee to be charged for each examination day, including travel expenses for out‑of‑state licensed locations. The fee shall reasonably reflect actual costs. The Director shall also have authority to examine the books and records of any business made by a former licensee which is being liquidated, as the Director deems necessary, and may charge the examination fees otherwise required for licensees.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/11) (from Ch. 17, par. 5411)
    Sec. 11. Books and records ‑ Reports.
    (a) Every licensee shall retain and use in his business or at another location approved by the Director such records as are required by the Director to enable the Director to determine whether the licensee is complying with the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act. Every licensee shall preserve the records of any loan for at least 2 years after making the final entry for such loan. Accounting systems maintained in whole or in part by mechanical or electronic data processing methods which provide information equivalent to that otherwise required and follow generally accepted accounting principles are acceptable for that purpose, if approved by the Director in writing.
    (b) Each licensee shall annually, on or before the first day of March, file a report with the Director giving such relevant information as the Director may reasonably require concerning the business and operations during the preceding calendar year of each licensed place of business conducted by the licensee. The report must be received by the Department on or before March 1. The report shall be made under oath and in a form prescribed by the Director. Whenever a licensee operates 2 or more licensed offices or whenever 2 or more affiliated licensees operate licensed offices, a composite report of such group of licensed offices may be filed in lieu of individual reports. The Director may make and publish annually an analysis and recapitulation of such reports. The Director may fine each licensee $25 for each day beyond March 1 such report is filed.
(Source: P.A. 92‑398, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (205 ILCS 670/12) (from Ch. 17, par. 5412)
    Sec. 12. Other business.
    (a) Upon application by the licensee, and approval by the Director, the Director may approve the conduct of other businesses not specifically permitted by this Act in the licensee's place of business, unless the Director finds that such conduct will conceal or facilitate evasion or violation of this Act. Such approval shall be in writing and shall describe the other businesses which may be conducted in the licensed office.
    (b) A licensee may without notice to and approval of the Director, in addition to the business permitted by this Act, conduct the following business:
        (1) The business of a sales finance agency as
     defined in the Sales Finance Agency Act.
        (2) The business of soliciting or selling any type
     of insurance provided that all such insurance transactions are conducted in accordance with and are regulated under the Illinois Insurance Code.
        (3) The business of financing premiums for insurance.
        (4) Making loans pursuant to the Financial Services
     Development Act.
The Director shall make and enforce such reasonable rules and regulations for the conduct of business under this Act in the same office with other businesses as may be necessary to prevent evasions or violations of this Act. The Director may investigate any business conducted in the licensed office to determine whether any evasion or violation of this Act has occurred.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/12.5)
    Sec. 12.5. Limited purpose branch.
    (a) Upon the written approval of the Director, a licensee may maintain a limited purpose branch for the sole purpose of making loans as permitted by this Act. A limited purpose branch may include an automatic loan machine. No other activity shall be conducted at the site, including but not limited to, accepting payments, servicing the accounts, or collections.
    (b) The licensee must submit an application for a limited purpose branch to the Director on forms prescribed by the Director with an application fee of $300. The approval for the limited purpose branch must be renewed concurrently with the renewal of the licensee's license along with a renewal fee of $300 for the limited purpose branch.
    (c) The books, accounts, records, and files of the limited purpose branch's transactions shall be maintained at the licensee's licensed location. The licensee shall notify the Director of the licensed location at which the books, accounts, records, and files shall be maintained.
    (d) The licensee shall prominently display at the limited purpose branch the address and telephone number of the licensee's licensed location.
    (e) No other business shall be conducted at the site of the limited purpose branch unless authorized by the Director.
    (f) The Director shall make and enforce reasonable rules for the conduct of a limited purpose branch.
    (g) A limited purpose branch may not be located within 1,000 feet of a facility operated by an inter‑track wagering licensee or an organization licensee subject to the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, on a riverboat subject to the Riverboat Gambling Act, or within 1,000 feet of the location at which the riverboat docks.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/13) (from Ch. 17, par. 5413)
    Sec. 13. Prohibition against taking power of attorney. No licensee shall take any power of attorney except to cancel any policies of insurance financed by the licensee as permitted by this Act and to receive either rebate of unearned premiums or loss payments.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/14) (from Ch. 17, par. 5414)
    Sec. 14. Pledge or sale of note. No licensee or other person shall pledge, hypothecate or sell a note entered into under the provisions of this Act by an obligor except to another licensee under this Act, a licensee under the Sales Finance Agency Act, a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union created under the laws of this State or the United States, or to other persons or entities authorized by the Director in writing. Sales of such notes by licensees under this Act or other persons shall be made by agreement in writing and shall authorize the Director to examine the loan documents so hypothecated, pledged, or sold.
(Source: P.A. 90‑437, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (205 ILCS 670/15)(from Ch. 17, par. 5415)
    (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 96‑936)
    Sec. 15. Charges permitted.
    (a) Every licensee may lend a principal amount not exceeding $40,000 and may charge, contract for and receive thereon interest at the rate agreed upon by the licensee and the borrower, subject to the provisions of this Act.
    (b) For purpose of this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein.
    "Applicable interest" for a precomputed loan contract means the amount of interest attributable to each monthly installment period. It is computed as if each installment period were one month and any interest charged for extending the first installment period beyond one month is ignored. The applicable interest for any monthly installment period is that portion of the precomputed interest that bears the same ratio to the total precomputed interest as the balances scheduled to be outstanding during that month bear to the sum of all scheduled monthly outstanding balances in the original contract.
    "Interest‑bearing loan" means a loan in which the debt is expressed as a principal amount plus interest charged on actual unpaid principal balances for the time actually outstanding.
    "Precomputed loan" means a loan in which the debt is expressed as the sum of the original principal amount plus interest computed actuarially in advance, assuming all payments will be made when scheduled.
    (c) Loans may be interest‑bearing or precomputed.
    (d) To compute time for either interest‑bearing or precomputed loans for the calculation of interest and other purposes, a month shall be a calendar month and a day shall be considered 1/30th of a month when calculation is made for a fraction of a month. A month shall be 1/12th of a year. A calendar month is that period from a given date in one month to the same numbered date in the following month, and if there is no same numbered date, to the last day of the following month. When a period of time includes a month and a fraction of a month, the fraction of the month is considered to follow the whole month. In the alternative, for interest‑bearing loans, the licensee may charge interest at the rate of 1/365th of the agreed annual rate for each day actually elapsed.
    (e) With respect to interest‑bearing loans:
        (1) Interest shall be computed on unpaid principal
     balances outstanding from time to time, for the time outstanding, until fully paid. Each payment shall be applied first to the accumulated interest and the remainder of the payment applied to the unpaid principal balance; provided however, that if the amount of the payment is insufficient to pay the accumulated interest, the unpaid interest continues to accumulate to be paid from the proceeds of subsequent payments and is not added to the principal balance.
        (2) Interest shall not be payable in advance or
     compounded. However, if part or all of the consideration for a new loan contract is the unpaid principal balance of a prior loan, then the principal amount payable under the new loan contract may include any unpaid interest which has accrued. The unpaid principal balance of a precomputed loan is the balance due after refund or credit of unearned interest as provided in paragraph (f), clause (3). The resulting loan contract shall be deemed a new and separate loan transaction for all purposes.
        (3) Loans may be payable as agreed between the
     parties, including payment at irregular times or in unequal amounts and rates that may vary with an index that is independently verifiable and beyond the control of the licensee.
        (4) The lender or creditor may, if the contract
     provides, collect a delinquency or collection charge on each installment in default for a period of not less than 10 days in an amount not exceeding 5% of the installment on installments in excess of $200, or $10 on installments of $200 or less, but only one delinquency and collection charge may be collected on any installment regardless of the period during which it remains in default.
    (f) With respect to precomputed loans:
        (1) Loans shall be repayable in substantially equal
     and consecutive monthly installments of principal and interest combined, except that the first installment period may be longer than one month by not more than 15 days, and the first installment payment amount may be larger than the remaining payments by the amount of interest charged for the extra days; and provided further that monthly installment payment dates may be omitted to accommodate borrowers with seasonal income.
        (2) Payments may be applied to the combined total of
     principal and precomputed interest until the loan is fully paid. Payments shall be applied in the order in which they become due, except that any insurance proceeds received as a result of any claim made on any insurance, unless sufficient to prepay the contract in full, may be applied to the unpaid installments of the total of payments in inverse order.
        (3) When any loan contract is paid in full by cash,
     renewal or refinancing, or a new loan, one month or more before the final installment due date, a licensee shall refund or credit the obligor with the total of the applicable interest for all fully unexpired installment periods, as originally scheduled or as deferred, which follow the day of prepayment; provided, if the prepayment occurs prior to the first installment due date, the licensee may retain 1/30 of the applicable interest for a first installment period of one month for each day from the date of the loan to the date of prepayment, and shall refund or credit the obligor with the balance of the total interest contracted for. If the maturity of the loan is accelerated for any reason and judgment is entered, the licensee shall credit the borrower with the same refund as if prepayment in full had been made on the date the judgement is entered.
        (4) The lender or creditor may, if the contract
     provides, collect a delinquency or collection charge on each installment in default for a period of not less than 10 days in an amount not exceeding 5% of the installment on installments in excess of $200, or $10 on installments of $200 or less, but only one delinquency or collection charge may be collected on any installment regardless of the period during which it remains in default.
        (5) If the parties agree in writing, either in the
     loan contract or in a subsequent agreement, to a deferment of wholly unpaid installments, a licensee may grant a deferment and may collect a deferment charge as provided in this Section. A deferment postpones the scheduled due date of the earliest unpaid installment and all subsequent installments as originally scheduled, or as previously deferred, for a period equal to the deferment period. The deferment period is that period during which no installment is scheduled to be paid by reason of the deferment. The deferment charge for a one month period may not exceed the applicable interest for the installment period immediately following the due date of the last undeferred payment. A proportionate charge may be made for deferment for periods of more or less than one month. A deferment charge is earned pro rata during the deferment period and is fully earned on the last day of the deferment period. Should a loan be prepaid in full during a deferment period, the licensee shall credit to the obligor a refund of the unearned deferment charge in addition to any other refund or credit made for prepayment of the loan in full.
        (6) If two or more installments are delinquent one
     full month or more on any due date, and if the contract so pr