Illinois Code § 30

§ 30.

Professional Counselor Licensing and Disciplinary Board. (a) The Secretary shall appoint a Board which shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary. The Board shall consist of 7 persons, one of whom is licensed solely as a professional counselor, 4 of whom are licensed solely as clinical professional counselors, one full-time faculty member of an accredited college or university that is engaged in training professional counselors or clinical professional counselors who possesses the qualifications substantially equivalent to the education and experience requirements for a professional counselor or clinical professional counselor, and one member of the public. In appointing members of the Board, the Secretary shall give due consideration to the adequate representation of the various fields of counseling. In appointing members of the Board, the Secretary shall give due consideration to recommendations by members of the professions of professional counseling and clinical professional counseling, the Statewide organizations representing the interests of professional counselors and clinical professional counselors, organizations representing the interests of academic programs, rehabilitation counseling programs, and approved counseling programs in the State of Illinois. (b) Members shall be appointed for and shall serve 4 year terms and until their successors are appointed and qualified. No member of the Board shall serve more than 2 full consecutive terms. Any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired portion of the term. (c) The membership of the Board should reasonably reflect representation from different geographic areas of Illinois. (d) (Blank). (e) The Secretary shall have the authority to remove or suspend any member for cause at any time prior to the expiration of his or her term. The Secretary shall be the sole arbiter of cause. (f) The Board shall annually elect one of its members as chairperson. (g) The members of the Board shall be reimbursed for all legitimate, necessary, and authorized expenses incurred in attending the meetings of the Board. (h) The Board may make recommendations on matters relating to approving graduate counseling, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, and related programs. (i) The Board may make recommendations on matters relating to continuing education including the number of hours necessary for license renewal, waivers for those unable to meet such requirements, and acceptable course content. These recommendations shall not impose an undue burden on the Department or an unreasonable restriction on those seeking license renewal. (j) The Secretary shall give due consideration to all recommendations of the Board. (k) Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. A quorum is required for all Board decisions. (l) Members of the Board shall have no criminal, civil, or professional liability in an action based upon a disciplinary proceeding or other activity performed in good faith as a member of the Board, except for willful or wanton misconduct. (Source: P.A. 102-878, eff. 1-1-23.)