Article 5 - Registration Requirements And Fees


      (765 ILCS 101/Art. 5 heading)
Article 5. Registration Requirements and Fees

    (765 ILCS 101/5‑5)
    Sec. 5‑5. Exemptions from developer registration. A person shall not be required to register as a developer under this Act if:
        (1) the person is an owner of a timeshare interest
     who has acquired the timeshare interest for the person's own use and occupancy and who later offers it for resale; or
        (2) the person is a managing entity or an
     association that is not otherwise a developer of a timeshare plan in its own right, solely while acting as an association or under a contract with an association to offer or sell a timeshare interest transferred to the association through foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or gratuitous transfer, if such acts are performed in the regular course of, or as an incident to, the management of the association for its own account in the timeshare plan; or
        (3) the person offers a timeshare plan in a
     national publication or by electronic media, as determined by the Department and provided by rule, which is not directed to or targeted to any individual located in Illinois; or
        (4) the person is conveyed, assigned, or transferred
     more than 7 timeshare periods from a developer in a single voluntary or involuntary transaction and subsequently conveys, assigns, or transfers all of the timeshare interests received from the developer to a single purchaser in a single transaction.
(Source: P.A. 96‑738, eff. 8‑25‑09.)

    (765 ILCS 101/5‑10)
    Sec. 5‑10. Exempt communications.
    (a) The following communications are exempt from the provisions of this Act:
        (1) Any stockholder communication such as an annual
     report or interim financial report, proxy material, a registration statement, a securities prospectus, a registration, a property report, or other material required to be delivered to a prospective purchaser by an agency of any state or the federal government.
        (2) Any oral or written statement disseminated by a
     developer to broadcast or print media, other than paid advertising or promotional material, regarding plans for the acquisition or development of timeshare property. However, any rebroadcast or any other dissemination of such oral statements to a prospective purchaser by a seller in any manner, or any distribution of copies of newspaper magazine articles or press releases, or any other dissemination of such written statements to a prospective purchaser by a seller in any manner, shall constitute an advertisement.
        (3) Any advertisement or promotion in any medium to
     the general public if such advertisement or promotion clearly states that it is not an offer in any jurisdiction in which any applicable registration requirements have not been fully satisfied.
        (4) Any audio, written, or visual publication or
     material relating to the availability of any accommodations for transient rental, so long as a sales presentation is not a term or condition of the availability of such accommodations and so long as the failure of any transient renter to take a tour of a timeshare property or attend a sales presentation does not result in any reduction in the level of services which would otherwise be available to such transient renter.
    (b) The following communications are exempt from the provisions of this Act, provided they are delivered to any person who has previously executed a contract for the purchase of or is an existing owner of a timeshare interest in a timeshare plan:
        (1) Any communication addressed to and relating to
     the account of any person who has previously executed a contract for the sale or purchase of a timeshare period in a timeshare plan to which the communication relates.
        (2) Any audio, written, or visual publication or
     material relating to an exchange company or exchange program provided to an existing member of that exchange company or exchange program.
        (3) Any communication by a developer to encourage a
     person who has previously acquired a timeshare interest from the developer to acquire additional use or occupancy rights or benefits, or additional timeshare interests, offered by the same developer.
(Source: P.A. 91‑585, eff. 1‑1‑00.)

    (765 ILCS 101/5‑15)
    Sec. 5‑15. Developer registration requirements.
    (a) Registration required. Any person who sells, offers to sell, or attempts to solicit prospective purchasers or to solicit any individual located in Illinois to purchase a timeshare interest, or any person who creates a timeshare plan with an accommodation in the State of Illinois, shall register as a developer with the Department and shall comply with the provisions of subsection (c) of this Section.
    (b) Items to be registered. A developer shall be responsible for registering with the Department, on forms provided by the Department, the following:
        (1) All timeshare plans which have accommodations
     located in Illinois or which are sold or offered for sale to any individual located in Illinois.
        (2) All sales agents who sell or offer to sell any
     timeshare interests in any timeshare plan offered by the developer to any individual located in Illinois.
        (3) All acquisition agents who, by means of
     inducement, promotion, or advertisement, attempt to encourage or procure prospective purchasers located in Illinois to attend a sales presentation for any timeshare plan offered by the developer.
        (4) All managing entities who manage any timeshare
     plan offered or sold by the developer to any individual located in Illinois, without limitation as to whether the location of the accommodation site managed is within Illinois.
    (c) Escrow. The developer shall comply with the following escrow requirements:
        (1) A developer of a timeshare plan shall deposit
     into an escrow account in a federally insured depository 100% of all funds which are received during the purchaser's rescission period. The deposit of such funds shall be evidenced by an executed escrow agreement between the escrow agent and the developer, which shall include provisions that:
            (A) funds may be disbursed to the developer by
         the escrow agent from the escrow account only after expiration of the purchaser's rescission period and in accordance with the purchase contract, subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection; and
            (B) if a purchaser properly cancels the
         purchase contract pursuant to its terms, the funds shall be paid to the purchaser or paid to the developer if the purchaser's funds have been previously refunded by the developer.
        (2) If a developer contracts to sell a timeshare
     interest and the construction of any property in which the timeshare interest is located has not been completed, the developer, upon expiration of the rescission period, shall continue to maintain in an escrow account all funds received by or on behalf of the developer from the purchaser under his or her purchase contract. The Department shall establish, by rule, the types of documentation which shall be required for evidence of completion, including but not limited to a certificate of occupancy, a certificate of substantial completion, or an inspection by the Office of the State Fire Marshal or the State Fire Marshal's designee or an equivalent public safety inspection agency in the applicable jurisdiction. Funds shall be released from escrow as follows:
            (A) If a purchaser properly cancels the
         purchase contract pursuant to its terms, the funds shall be paid to the purchaser or paid to the developer if the purchaser's funds have been previously refunded by the developer.
            (B) If a purchaser defaults in the performance
         of the purchaser's obligations under the purchase contract, the funds shall be paid to the developer.
            (C) If the funds of a purchaser have not been
         previously disbursed in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (2), they may be disbursed to the developer by the escrow agent upon the issuance of acceptable evidence of completion of construction as provided herein.
        (3) In lieu of the provisions in paragraphs (1) and
     (2), the Department may accept from the developer a surety bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or other financial assurance acceptable to the Department, as provided by rule. Any acceptable financial assurance must be in an amount equal to or in excess of the funds which would otherwise be placed in escrow, or in an amount equal to the cost to complete the incomplete property in which the timeshare interest is located.
        (4) The developer shall provide escrow account
     information to the Department and shall execute in writing an authorization consenting to an audit or examination of the account by the Department on forms provided by the Department. The developer shall comply with the reconciliation and records requirements established by rule by the Department. The developer shall make documents related to the escrow account or escrow obligation available to the Department upon the Department's request. The developer shall maintain any disputed funds in the escrow account until either:
            (A) receipt of written direction agreed to by
         signature of all parties; or
            (B) deposit of the funds with a court of
         competent jurisdiction in which a civil action regarding the funds has been filed.
    (d) Comprehensive registration. In registering a timeshare plan, the developer shall be responsible for providing information on the following:
        (1) The developer's legal name, any assumed names
     used by the developer, principal office street address, mailing address, primary contact person, and telephone number;
        (2) The name of the developer's authorized or
     registered agent in the State of Illinois upon whom claims can be served or service of process be had, the agent's street address in Illinois, and telephone number;
        (3) The name, street address, mailing address,
     primary contact person, and telephone number of any timeshare plan being registered;
        (4) The name, street address, mailing address and
     telephone number of any sales agent and acquisition agent utilized by the developer, and any managing entity of the timeshare plan;
        (5) A public offering statement which complies with
     the requirements of Sections 5‑25; and
        (6) Any other information regarding the developer,
     timeshare plan, sales agents, acquisition agents, or managing entities as reasonably required by the Department and established by rule.
    (e) Abbreviated registration. The Department may accept, as provided for by rule, an abbreviated registration application of a developer of a timeshare plan in which all accommodations are located outside of the State of Illinois. A developer of a timeshare plan with any accommodation located in the State of Illinois may not file an abbreviated filing, with the exception of a succeeding developer after a merger or acquisition when all of the developers' timeshare plans were registered in Illinois immediately preceding the merger or acquisition.
    The developer shall provide a certificate of registration or other evidence of registration from the appropriate regulatory agency of any other jurisdiction within the United States in which some or all of such accommodations are located. The other jurisdiction must have disclosure requirements that are substantially equivalent to or greater than the information required to be disclosed to purchasers by the State of Illinois. A developer filing an abbreviated registration application shall provide the following:
        (1) The developer's legal name, any assumed names
     used by the developer, and the developer's principal office location, mailing address, primary contact person, and telephone number.
        (2) The name, location, mailing address, primary
     contact person, and telephone number of the timeshare plan.
        (3) The name of the authorized agent or registered
     agent in Illinois upon whom claims can be served or service of process can be had, and the address in Illinois of the authorized agent or registered agent.
        (4) The names of any sales agent, acquisition
     agent, and managing entity, and their principal office location, mailing address, and telephone number.
        (5) The certificate of registration or other
     evidence of registration from any jurisdiction in which the timeshare plan is approved or accepted.
        (6) A declaration as to whether the timeshare plan
     is a single‑site timeshare plan or a multi‑site timeshare plan and, if a multi‑site timeshare plan, whether it consists of specific timeshare interests or non‑specific timeshare interests.
        (7) Disclosure of each jurisdiction in which the
     developer has applied for registration of the timeshare plan, and whether the timeshare plan, its developer, or any of its acquisition agents, sales agents, or managing entities utilized were denied registration or were the subject of any disciplinary proceeding.
        (8) Copies of any disclosure documents required to
     be given to purchasers or required to be filed with the jurisdiction in which the timeshare plan is approved or accepted as may be requested by the Department.
        (9) The appropriate fee.
        (10) Such other information reasonably required by
     the Department and established by rule.
    (f) Preliminary permits. Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, the Department may grant a 6‑month preliminary permit, as established by rule, allowing the developer to begin offering and selling timeshare interests while the registration is in process. To obtain a preliminary permit, the developer shall do all of the following:
        (1) (Blank).
        (2) Submit an application in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Department for registration, including all appropriate fees and exhibits required under this Article.
        (3) Provide evidence acceptable to the Department
     that all funds received by the developer will be placed into an independent escrow account with instructions that funds will not be released until a final registration has been granted.
        (4) Give to each purchaser and potential purchaser a
     copy of the proposed public offering statement that the developer has submitted to the Department with the initial application.
        (5) Give to each purchaser the opportunity to cancel
     the purchase contract in accordance with Section 10‑10. The purchaser shall have an additional opportunity to cancel upon the issuance of an approved registration if the Department determines that there is a substantial difference in the disclosures contained in the final public offering statement and those given to the purchaser in the proposed public offering statement.
    (g) Alternative registration; letter of credit or other assurance; recovery.
        (1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act to the
     contrary, the Department may accept, as established by rule, a registration from a developer for a timeshare plan if the developer provides all of the following:
            (A) (Blank).
            (B) An irrevocable letter of credit or other
         acceptable assurance, as established by rule, in an amount of $1,000,000, from which an Illinois purchaser aggrieved by any act, representation, transaction, or conduct of a duly registered developer or his or her acquisition agent, sales agent, managing entity, or employee, which violates any provision of this Act or the rules promulgated under this Act, or which constitutes embezzlement of money or property or results in money or property being unlawfully obtained from any person by false pretenses, artifice, trickery, or forgery or by reason of any fraud, misrepresentation, discrimination, or deceit by or on the part of any developer or agent or employee of the developer and which results in actual monetary loss as opposed to a loss in market value, may recover.
            (C) The developer's legal name, any assumed
         names used by the developer, and the developer's principal office location, mailing address, main contact person, and telephone number.
            (D) The name, location, mailing address, main
         contact person, and telephone number of the timeshare plan included in the filing.
            (E) The name of the authorized agent or
         registered agent in Illinois upon whom claims can be served or service of process can be had, and the address in Illinois of the authorized agent or registered agent.
            (F) The names of any sales agent, acquisition
         agent, and managing entity, and their principal office location, mailing address, and telephone number.
            (G) A declaration as to whether the timeshare
         plan is a single‑site timeshare plan or a multi‑site timeshare plan and, if a multi‑site timeshare plan, whether it consists of specific timeshare interests or non‑specific timeshare interests.
            (H) Disclosure of each jurisdiction in which the
         developer has applied for registration of the timeshare plan, and whether the timeshare plan, its developer, or any of its acquisition agents, sales agents, or managing entities utilized were denied registration or were the subject of any disciplinary proceeding.
            (I) The required fee.
            (J) Such other information reasonably required
         by the Department and established by rule.
        (2) Any letter of credit or other acceptable
     assurance shall remain in effect with the Department for a period of 12 months after the date the developer does not renew or otherwise cancel his or her registration with the State of Illinois or 12 months after the Department revokes, suspends, or otherwise disciplines such developer or his or her registration, provided there is no pending litigation alleging a violation of any provision of this Act known by the Department and certified by the developer.
        (3) The Department shall establish procedures, by
     rule, to satisfy claims by any Illinois purchaser pursuant to this Section.
        (4) The Department shall automatically suspend the
     registration of any developer pursuant to Section 15‑25 of this Act in the event the Department authorizes or directs payment to an Illinois purchaser from the letter of credit or other acceptable assurance pursuant to this Section and as established by rule.
    (h) A developer who registers a timeshare plan pursuant to this Act shall provide the purchaser with a public offering statement that complies with Section 5‑25 and any disclosures or other written information required by this Act.
    (i) Nothing contained in this Section shall affect the Department's ability to initiate any disciplinary action against a developer in accordance with this Act.
    (j) For purposes of this Section, "Illinois purchaser" means a person who, within the State of Illinois, is solicited, offered, or sold a timeshare interest in a timeshare plan registered pursuant to this Section.
(Source: P.A. 96‑738, eff. 8‑25‑09.)

    (765 ILCS 101/5‑20)
    Sec. 5‑20. Developer supervisory duties. The developer shall have the duty to supervise, manage, and control all aspects of the offering of the timeshare plan, including, but not limited to, promotion, advertising, contracting, and closing. The developer shall have responsibility for each timeshare plan registered with the Department and for the actions of any sales agent, managing entity, and acquisition agent utilized by the developer in the offering or selling of any registered timeshare plan. Any violation of this Act which occurs during the offering activities shall be deemed to be a violation by the developer as well as by the acquisition agent, sales agent, or managing entity who actually committed such violation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, the developer shall be responsible for the actions of the association and managing entity only while they are subject to the developer's control.
(Source: P.A. 96‑738, eff. 8‑25‑09.)

    (765 ILCS 101/5‑25)
    Sec. 5‑25. Timeshare plan public offering statement requirements.
    (a) A developer shall prepare a public offering statement, shall provide the statement to each purchaser of a timeshare interest in any timeshare plan at the time of purchase, and shall fully and accurately disclose those facts concerning the timeshare developer and timeshare plan that are required by this Act or by rule. The public offering statement shall be in writing and dated and shall require the purchaser to certify in writing the receipt thereof.
    (b) With regard to timeshare interests offered in a timeshare plan, a public offering statement shall fully and accurately disclose the following:
        (1) The name of the developer and the principal
     address of the developer.
        (2) A description of the type of timeshare interests
     being offered.
        (3) A general description of the existing and
     proposed accommodations and amenities of the timeshare plan, including their type and number, personal property furnishing the accommodation, any use restrictions, and any required fees for use.
        (4) A description of any accommodations and
     amenities that are committed to be built, including, without limitation:
            (A) the developer's schedule of commencement and
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