{ "id": 887299, "name": "INNO U. OBASI, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. THE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL REGULATION et al., Defendants-Appellees", "name_abbreviation": "Obasi v. Department of Professional Regulation", "decision_date": "1994-08-19", "docket_number": "No. 1-92-1430", "first_page": "693", "last_page": "705", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "266 Ill. App. 3d 693" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "574 N.E.2d 116", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "214 Ill. App. 3d 675", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5298175 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/214/0675-01" ] }, { "cite": "565 N.E.2d 246", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "207 Ill. App. 3d 26", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2555193 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/207/0026-01" ] }, { "cite": "240 N.E.2d 314", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "98 Ill. App. 2d 326", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2649169 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-2d/98/0326-01" ] }, { "cite": "364 N.E.2d 660", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1968, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "49 Ill. App. 3d 829", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5637727 ], "year": 1968, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/49/0829-01" ] }, { "cite": "318 N.E.2d 726", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "23 Ill. App. 3d 201", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2508368 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/23/0201-01" ] }, { "cite": "466 N.E.2d 1045", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "125 Ill. App. 3d 1031", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3632515 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/125/1031-01" ] }, { "cite": "415 N.E.2d 1249", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "92 Ill. App. 3d 496", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5534772 ], "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/92/0496-01" ] }, { "cite": "311 N.E.2d 146", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "152" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "57 Ill. 2d 170", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5406543 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "181-82" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/57/0170-01" ] }, { "cite": "106 N.E.2d 722", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "729" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "412 Ill. 332", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2666140 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "346" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/412/0332-01" ] }, { "cite": "372 N.E.2d 151", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "153" }, { "page": "154" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "56 Ill. App. 3d 677", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3413199 ], "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "681" }, { "page": "682" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/56/0677-01" ] }, { "cite": "571 N.E.2d 783", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "212 Ill. App. 3d 717", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2600136 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/212/0717-01" ] }, { "cite": "580 N.E.2d 1314", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1991, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "220 Ill. App. 3d 580", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5274652 ], "year": 1991, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/220/0580-01" ] }, { "cite": "447 N.E.2d 295", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "95 Ill. 2d 142", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3112244 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/95/0142-01" ] }, { "cite": "484 N.E.2d 538", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "137 Ill. App. 3d 288", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3639052 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/137/0288-01" ] }, { "cite": "595 N.E.2d 89", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "230 Ill. App. 3d 442", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5210020 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/230/0442-01" ] }, { "cite": "603 N.E.2d 477", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "151 Ill. 2d 419", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3291708 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/151/0419-01" ] }, { "cite": "606 N.E.2d 1111", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1117" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "153 Ill. 2d 76", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 4738801 ], "weight": 6, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "88" }, { "page": "88-89" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/153/0076-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1088, "char_count": 27948, "ocr_confidence": 0.81, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.5444873893203067e-07, "percentile": 0.8137358587315322 }, "sha256": "827d07ab0047e1ea11532e02c46eb565e2555c3ea929e6d0f8d0f20fecb8dd9a", "simhash": "1:e3a468e523938f57", "word_count": 4467 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:25:32.104609+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "INNO U. OBASI, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. THE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL REGULATION et al., Defendants-Appellees." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE GORDON\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nThis administrative review action was brought by the plaintiff, Inno U. Obasi, M.D., against the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (the Department) and its Director to contest the revocation of the plaintiff\u2019s medical license, without opportunity to apply for reinstatement for five years. The circuit court affirmed the revocation and the plaintiff appealed.\nThe issues presented for review are: whether the trial court applied the correct review standards when it affirmed the Department\u2019s findings and conclusions; whether the plaintiff\u2019s due process rights were violated when television cameras were permitted at the hearing; whether the Medical Practice Act of 1987 (the Act) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111, par. 4400 \u2014 1 et seq. (now 225 ILCS 60/1 et seq. (West 1992))) was unconstitutional because it violated the separation of powers doctrine; and whether the sanction imposed on the plaintiff should have been reduced by the trial court because it was overly harsh.\nBACKGROUND\nThe Department Director summarily suspended the plaintiff\u2019s medical license on October 25,1989, and charged in a five-count complaint that the plaintiff had violated various provisions of the Medical Practice Act of 1987. The first two counts of the complaint alleged that on June 6, 1989, the plaintiff, a licensed physician and surgeon, performed a pregnancy termination procedure, a dilatation and evacuation, on Krystal S. and perforated her uterus during the procedure. The charges stated that the plaintiff had failed to provide postoperative care and monitoring and that his actions constituted patient abandonment and gross negligence in violation of sections 22(16) and 22(4) of the Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111, pars. 4400\u2014 22(16), (4) (now 225 ILCS 60/22(16), (4) (West 1992))).\nThe third count of the complaint alleged that the plaintiff violated section 22(4) of the Act and committed gross negligence on September 7, 1989, when he performed a dilatation and curettage and tubal ligation on Synthia D. According to the allegations, the plaintiff failed to differentiate between the fallopian tube and the uterine vein, or artery, or their branches; severed the vein, artery or branch and failed to repair it; and carelessly, negligently, and/or recklessly cared for and treated Synthia D. who, as a direct and proximate result of these acts, died. The fourth count of the complaint alleged that the plaintiff committed a third act of gross negligence on September 21, 1989, when he performed a pregnancy termination procedure, a dilatation and evacuation, on Michelle P. During this procedure, the patient\u2019s uterus was perforated, requiring emergency surgery and a total abdominal hysterectomy. The final count of the complaint incorporated counts I, III and IV and alleged that the acts recited constituted a pattern of practice which demonstrated incapacity or incompetence to practice medicine in violation of section 22(26) of the Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111, par. 4400\u2014 22(26) (now 225 ILCS 60/22(26) (West 1992))).\nOn April 10, 1990, following a hearing before the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Board, the hearing officer concluded that the Department had proved by clear and convincing evidence the charges in count I (patient abandonment), count III (gross negligence) and count V (pattern of practice demonstrating incompetence to practice). The hearing officer recommended revocation of the plaintiff\u2019s medical license; and the Medical Disciplinary Board adopted the report and recommendations of the hearing officer. The Board recommended to the Department Director that the plaintiff not petition for restoration of his license for a minimum period of five years and that the plaintiff complete 250 hours of continuing medical education and pass a clinical competency examination. The Director adopted the Board\u2019s recommendations on June 12, 1990.\nThe plaintiff filed a complaint for administrative review; and on February 22, 1991, at the conclusion of the hearing, the circuit court affirmed the plaintiff\u2019s license revocation but reduced the period of revocation to 30 months. On March 8, 1991, the court reversed its oral ruling of February 22, 1991, and found that it was without authority to lessen the sanction imposed by the Department. On June 14, 1991, pursuant to the plaintiff\u2019s motion to reconsider, the trial court remanded the case to the Department for reconsideration of the sanction imposed, finding that the sanction was excessive and oppressive. On remand, the Department adopted the Board\u2019s findings, conclusions and recommendations; reaffirmed the five-year revocation period; and eliminated the educational and competency examination requirements. Pursuant to administrative review of that order, the circuit court affirmed the Department and subsequently denied the plaintiff\u2019s motion to reconsider.\nWhile a number of findings were made by the hearing officer for the Medical Disciplinary Board, those that need to be repeated in order to understand the rationale of this court concern the evidence presented on the charge of abandonment. As to this charge, the hearing officer\u2019s findings included the following:\n\"4. Approximately one hour after the procedure, Dr. Obasi discharged Krystal S[J and left the facility. At the time of the discharge Krystal S[J was exhibiting no symptoms of a perforated uterus or internal bleeding.\n5. Dr. Obasi had lunch and then went grocery shopping. While shopping he was paged on his beeper and returned to the Paulina Surgi-Center after talking to a nurse, Caroline Banjo.\n6. Dr. Obasi ordered Nurse Banjo to start an I.V. of Pitocin to help S[.]\u2019s uterus contract and to call for an ambulance.\n7. A Chicago Fire Department ambulance arrived and transported Krystal S[J to St. Francis Hospital. Dr. Obasi did not accompany the patient to St. Francis Hospital.\n8. Dr. Obasi did not have any staff privileges at St. Francis Hospital.\n9. No records were sent to St. Francis Hospital with Krystal S.\n10. Dr. Obasi did not attempt to contact St. Francis Hospital until two hours after the ambulance left the Paulina Surgi-Center.\n11. Dr. Obasi filially spoke with Dr. Sella, S[.]\u2019s attending physician at St. Francis Hospital, on June 7,1989 at approximately 4:00 p.m.\u201d\nThe evidence to support the hearing officer\u2019s findings enumerated above came from the testimony of the plaintiff, Doctor Obasi. During the course of his testimony, Doctor Obasi stated that on June 6,1989, he performed a dilatation and evacuation on Krystal S. and that she had tolerated the procedure well except that she had moved while he was using a suctioning cup. Doctor Obasi examined her in the recovery room and found that she was not experiencing any unusual problems. He testified that there did not appear to be anything wrong with her blood pressure, respiration or other vital signs. He wrote \"discharge home,\u201d assuming the normal recovery period of 45 minutes to 1 hour, on her progress note and left the clinic to have lunch and shop at a grocery store several blocks away.\nThe plaintiff further testified that, while shopping, his beeper sounded and he telephoned the clinic. He learned that Krystal had developed symptoms of a perforated uterus just before changing into her clothes. Doctor Obasi told the nurse to start intravenous medication, to massage the uterus and to call an ambulance. He immediately returned to the center, conducted a pelvic examination upon Krystal, massaged the uterus and again asked the nurse to call an ambulance. When the ambulance crew arrived, he assisted in transferring Krystal onto the ambulance stretcher. Doctor Obasi stated that he did not accompany Krystal to the hospital because he did not have staff privileges there and would not be allowed to participate in any form of treatment there.\nDoctor Obasi testified that as part of standard procedure he usually would make a note to inform the medical staff at the hospital to which one of his patients is transferred. He stated that he made such a note with respect to Krystal, that he gave the note to his nurse to make a copy, and that the note he gave to the nurse was to be given to the ambulance crew. He did not know whether the original note or a copy of the note was given to any of the ambulance personnel.\nDoctor Obasi waited for about two hours before calling the hospital so that the hospital would have time to stabilize the patient. He spoke with a telephone operator at the hospital, learned the identity of her attending physician, and spoke to someone in the emergency room. Doctor Obasi stated he had the attending physician paged several times and also left a message at her office for her to call him back. The attending physician called him back the next day.\nThe only other testimony at the hearing regarding the plaintiff\u2019s care of Krystal S. was given by Doctor Allan Charles, the Department\u2019s expert. Doctor Charles\u2019 testimony concerned the cause, likelihood, and symptoms of a perforated uterus. He stated that a patient who was in stable condition and not experiencing unusual pain could be discharged after one hour in the recovery room. He stated that such a patient could exhibit signs of a perforated uterus after she was discharged. Doctor Charles testified that it would not be patient abandonment for a doctor to discharge a patient after one hour in a recovery room if the patient\u2019s vital signs were stable and the patient did not exhibit any symptoms of uterine perforation. He further testified that it would not be patient abandonment for a doctor, after that hour of the patient being in a recovery room, to leave the clinic where the medical procedure took place and to return immediately upon being beeped by the clinic and informed that the patient was not feeling well.\nBased on this testimony, the hearing officer for the Medical Disciplinary Board made the findings of fact enumerated above. He concluded that the Department proved by clear and convincing evidence that Doctor Obasi abandoned Krystal S. \"in that he did not immediately follow up her care with the staff at St. Francis Hospital after Chicago Fire Department paramedics transferred her there.\u201d\nAs discussed in Abrahamson v. Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (1992), 153 Ill. 2d 76, 606 N.E.2d 1111, judicial review of the Department\u2019s decision extends to all questions of law and fact presented by the entire record. (See also Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 110, par. 3 \u2014 110 (now 735 ILCS 5/3 \u2014 110 (West 1992)).) The findings and conclusions of the administrative agency on questions of fact shall be held to be prima facie true and correct. Abrahamson, 153 Ill. 2d at 88, quoting Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 110, par. 3 \u2014 110; see also Launius v. Board of Fire & Police Commissioners (1992), 151 Ill. 2d 419, 603 N.E.2d 477.) The Abrahamson court further stated:\n\"[I]t is not a court\u2019s function to reweigh the evidence or make an independent determination of the facts. Rather, the court\u2019s function is to ascertain whether the findings and decision of the agency are against the manifest weight of the evidence. [Citations.] An administrative agency decision is against the manifest weight of the evidence only if the opposite conclusion is clearly evident. [Citations.]\nThe mere fact that an opposite conclusion is reasonable or that the reviewing court might have ruled differently will not justify reversal of the administrative findings. [Citation.] The reviewing court may not substitute its judgment for that of the administrative agency. [Citation.] If the record contains evidence to support the agency\u2019s decision, it should be affirmed. [Citations.]\u201d Abrahamson, 153 Ill. 2d at 88-89, 606 N.E.2d at 1117.\nWith respect to the undisputed facts and the Department\u2019s conclusions drawn therefrom, a different standard of review must be applied. The legal effect given to undisputed facts is a matter of law reviewable by an appellate tribunal, and a reviewing court is not bound by either an agency\u2019s or circuit court\u2019s conclusions of law. (E.g., Walgreen Co. v. Selcke (1992), 230 Ill. App. 3d 442, 595 N.E.2d 89; Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers, Inc. v. Illinois Human Rights Comm\u2019n (1985), 137 Ill. App. 3d 288, 484 N.E.2d 538.) Deference is not to be given to an agency\u2019s legal conclusions because they involve administrative interpretation of a statute it is charged with enforcing when the court finds that the legal conclusions reached by the agency are erroneous. (Walgreen, 230 Ill. App. 3d 442, 595 N.E.2d 89; cf. Illinois Consolidated Telephone Co. v. Illinois Commerce Comm\u2019n (1983), 95 Ill. 2d 142, 447 N.E.2d 295 (deference to agency interpretation of ambiguous statute).) The proper standard of review for an agency\u2019s conclusions is not the manifest weight of the evidence test but whether the agency\u2019s decision is arbitrary, unreasonable and not supported by sufficient evidence. See Kappel v. Police Board (1991), 220 Ill. App. 3d 580, 580 N.E.2d 1314; Letourneau v. Department of Registration & Education (1991), 212 Ill. App. 3d 717, 571 N.E.2d 783.\nIt has been held that an agency\u2019s decision is not supported by sufficient evidence where there is an absence of expert testimony. In Farney v. Anderson (1978), 56 Ill. App. 3d 677, 372 N.E.2d 151, the appellate court affirmed the trial court\u2019s reversal of the agency\u2019s suspension of the plaintiff\u2019s medical license because the agency failed to present expert testimony relating to the charge of engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct. The court in Farney quoted from Smith v. Department of Registration & Education (1952), 412 Ill. 332, 106 N.E.2d 722, as follows:\n\" 'The record is completely silent as to any expert testimony relating to the respondent\u2019s professional conduct ***. The medical hearing committee undertook to draw upon their own professional skill and scientific training to produce the findings entered against the respondent herein.\u2019 \u201d (Farney, 56 Ill. App. 3d at 681, 372 N.E.2d at 153, quoting Smith, 412 Ill. at 346, 106 N.E.2d at 729.)\nThe Farney court explained the need for expert testimony as follows:\n\"The underlying, but perhaps unspoken, reason for requiring expert evidence by the Department is the existence of judicial review of the decisions of the Medical Disciplinary Board ***. While it may seem idle and foolish to a board composed of physicians to present elementary questions of medicine to them by way of testimony of one of their own brethren, yet it is far from idle to a court, not trained in medicine, which is called upon to determine the manifest weight of the evidence. ***\n*** Expert testimony, whether coming down on the positive or negative side of Farney\u2019s treatment, is essential.\u201d (56 Ill. App. 3d at 682, 372 N.E.2d at 154.)\nConcluding that the substitution of subjective analysis on the part of the medical panel in place of expert medical opinion fatally tainted the proceedings, the court affirmed the trial court\u2019s reversal of the license suspension.\nApplying these principles to the instant case, we find that the charge of abandonment was not supported by sufficient evidence and that the trial court erred when it affirmed the Department\u2019s conclusion that patient abandonment had occurred. As noted above, the hearing officer concluded that there had been an abandonment because Doctor Obasi \"did not immediately follow up [Krystal S.\u2019s] care with the staff at St. Francis Hospital after *** paramedics transferred her there.\u201d The Department presented no expert testimony relating to Doctor Obasi\u2019s post-operative care of Krystal S. once she was transferred to the ambulance and transported to the hospital. The only opinion as to the existence of patient abandonment was elicited from Doctor Charles, the Department\u2019s expert, by Doctor Obasi\u2019s counsel on cross-examination. Two hypothetical questions were posed to Doctor Charles, and they concerned the discharge of a patient who had normal vital signs and who was not exhibiting any symptoms of a perforated uterus. In response to both hypothetical questions, Doctor Charles answered that there was no patient abandonment. No expert testimony stated that Doctor Obasi\u2019s failure to contact the hospital for two hours after the ambulance left the medical center and his inability to reach the treating physician until the next day constituted patient abandonment.\nAbsent sufficient evidence, and absent our willingness to hold, as a matter of law and independent of expert testimony, that the plaintiff\u2019s actions constituted patient abandonment, the hearing officer\u2019s conclusion, and the adoption of this conclusion by the Medical Disciplinary Board and the Department Director, was arbitrary and unreasonable. We reverse the trial court\u2019s affirmance of the finding of abandonment.\nWith respect to remaining charges that were sustained by the Department and affirmed by the trial court, a discussion of the testimony would serve no useful purpose. We have reviewed the record, and we hold that the hearing officer\u2019s findings regarding gross negligence as to the plaintiff\u2019s treatment of Synthia D. and the pattern of practice demonstrating incompetence based on the plaintiff\u2019s treatment of all three women were clearly not against the manifest weight of the evidence. We also hold that the Department\u2019s conclusions of law were supported by competent evidence, including expert testimony, and that they were not arbitrary or unreasonable. The trial court\u2019s affirmance of the Department\u2019s findings and conclusions regarding the remaining charges was correct.\nThe plaintiff\u2019s second argument raises the issue of whether the Medical Practice Act of 1987 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111, par. 4400 \u2014 1 et seq. (now 225 ILCS 60/1 et seq. (West 1992))) is unconstitutional because it violates the separation of powers doctrine. The plaintiff contends that the Act improperly delegates judicial power to nonjudicial officers, namely, the hearing officer, members of the Medical Disciplinary Board, and the Department Director.\nIn upholding the Environmental Protection Act\u2019s penalty provisions and finding that those provisions did not violate the separation of powers provisions of the Illinois Constitution (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1971, ch. 111\u00bd, pars. 1033(b), 1042 (now 415 ILCS 5/33(b), 5/42 (West 1992))), the Illinois Supreme Court stated that the separation of powers doctrine does not forbid every exercise of functions by one branch of government which conventionally is exercised by another branch. (City of Waukegan v. Pollution Control Board (1974), 57 Ill. 2d 170, 311 N.E.2d 146.) It recognized that the very identifying badge of an administrative agency is the combination of judicial power and legislative power. The court further stated:\n\" 'As a general rule, delegation to administrators or agencies of the quasi-judicial power to adjudicate rights or to revoke privileges such as licenses is not invalid so long as there is an opportunity for judicial review of the administrative action. *** In short, if the judiciary is given an adequate opportunity to review what has been done, the principle of separation of powers \u2014 or due process of law, if you will \u2014 is generally satisfied.\u2019 \u201d 57 Ill. 2d at 181-82, 311 N.E.2d at 152, quoting G. Braden & R. Cohn, Illinois Constitution: An Annotated and Comparative Analysis 104-05 (1969).\nApplying the principles espoused in City of Waukegan v. Pollution Control Board, we find that the Medical Practice Act of 1987 is not violative of the separation of powers doctrine. The Act separates the investigative and prosecuting functions performed by the Department from the adjudicatory functions performed by the Medical Disciplinary Board. The Act requires notice to be given to the physician of the charges made (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111, par. 4400 \u2014 36 (now 225 ILCS 60/36 (West 1992))) and provides for a public hearing to present statements, testimony, evidence and argument pertinent to the charges (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111, par. 4400 \u2014 37 (now 225 ILCS 60/37 (West 1992))). Finally, the Act provides that all final administrative decisions of the Department are subject to judicial review pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Review Law (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 110, par. 3 \u2014 101 et seq. (now 735 ILCS 5/3 \u2014 101 et seq. (West 1992))). (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111, par. 4400 \u2014 41 (now 225 ILCS 60/41 (West 1992)).) Not only is the Medical Practice Act of 1987 in compliance with the separation of powers doctrine, but our supreme court has found that the Act complies with the constitutional requirements of due process. See Abrahamson v. Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (1992), 153 Ill. 2d 76, 606 N.E.2d 1111.\nThe plaintiffs third argument on appeal is that he was denied due process because television cameras were present during portions of the administrative hearing. The Department contends that this rule was not violated because Doctor Obasi did not invoke his right to have the cameras turned off while he testified. The trial court rejected plaintiffs argument apparently on the basis of an incomplete record.\nIn administrative matters, due process is satisfied when the party concerned is provided an opportunity to be heard in an orderly proceeding which is adapted to the nature and circumstances of the dispute. (Goranson v. Department of Registration & Education (1980), 92 Ill. App. 3d 496, 415 N.E.2d 1249; see also Desai v. Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago (1984), 125 Ill. App. 3d 1031, 466 N.E.2d 1045.) To assure that a fair hearing is afforded, the hearing officer has broad discretion to regulate attendance at the hearing and has inherent power to do so to preserve order and decorum. (Klein v. Board of Fire & Police Commissioners (1974), 23 Ill. App. 3d 201, 318 N.E.2d 726.) With respect to the recording of administrative proceedings conducted by the Department of Professional Regulation, the hearing officer is guided further by sections 1120.30 and 1120.40 of the Illinois Administrative Code (68 Ill. Adm. Code \u00a7\u00a7 1120.30, 1120.40 (1988 Supp.)). Those sections provide:\n\"Section 1120.30 Proceedings May Be Recorded Proceedings at meetings and hearings required to be open to the public by the 'Open Meetings Act\u2019 may be recorded by any person, by tape, film or other means.\u201d 68 Ill. Adm. Code \u00a7 1120.30 (1988 Supp.).\n\"Section 1120.40 Witness Refusal\nIf a witness at any meeting or hearing of the Department refuses to testify on the grounds that he may not be compelled to testify if any portion of his testimony is to be broadcast or televised *** the presiding officer shall prohibit such recording during the testimony of the witness.\u201d 68 Ill. Adm. Code \u00a7 1120.40 (1988 Supp.).\nSee also Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 110, par. 8 \u2014 701 (now 735 ILCS 5/8\u2014 701 (West 1992)).\nA review of the record in the instant case shows that two objections were made to the presence of the television cameras during the plaintiffs administrative hearing. The first one occurred at the beginning at the hearing when the hearing officer asked plaintiffs counsel whether he had any objection to the television cameras. Plaintiffs counsel raised a general objection arguing that a \"circus-like atmosphere\u201d could occur. This general objection was overruled, and no clarification was sought by the plaintiff. Subsequently, another witness did object to the cameras when she was called to testify, and the hearing officer ordered that the cameras be turned off.\nWe reject the plaintiffs due process argument on two grounds. First, as plaintiff did not invoke his personal right to have the cameras turned off during his testimony, he waived any alleged error in this regard. (See Greig v. Griffel (1977), 49 Ill. App. 3d 829, 364 N.E.2d 660; Borowicz v. Seuring Transit Co. (1968), 98 Ill. App. 2d 326, 240 N.E.2d 314 (waiver when no objection at appropriate time).) We also reject plaintiffs argument because he has not argued nor does the record demonstrate that the presence of television cameras at various times during the proceedings impeded the hearing, disrupted the calm atmosphere or imposed additional burdens upon the Medical Disciplinary Board which it could not handle. Klein, 23 Ill. App. 3d 201, 318 N.E.2d 726.\nThe final argument raised in this appeal concerns the sanction imposed and whether the trial court erred when it ruled that it did not have the power to reduce the sanction imposed by the Department.\nWhile a reviewing court must defer to the administrative agency\u2019s expertise and experience in determining what sanction is appropriate to protect the public interest (Abrahamson, 153 Ill. 2d 76, 606 N.E.2d 1111), a reviewing court has authority to review a sanction imposed (Momney v. Edgar (1990), 207 Ill. App. 3d 26, 565 N.E.2d 246). The test is not whether the reviewing court would have imposed a lesser sanction if it were making the decision in the first instance, but whether, in view of the circumstances, the agency acted unreasonably or arbitrarily. (Pelling v. Illinois Racing Board (1991), 214 Ill. App. 3d 675, 574 N.E.2d 116.) If the reviewing court finds that the sanction is unreasonable, it cannot modify the sanction; rather, the court must remand to the agency for further proceedings consistent with the court\u2019s expressed opinion. Momney, 207 Ill. App. 3d 26, 565 N.E.2d 246.\nIn the instant case, on first review, the trial court found that the sanction imposed was \"excessive and oppressive\u201d and reduced the period of revocation from 5 years to 30 months. The court subsequently reversed itself, when it ruled on plaintiff\u2019s motion to reconsider, and held that it was without authority to lessen the sanction. The court did, however, remand the case to the Department for reconsideration of the sanction imposed. On remand, the Medical Disciplinary Board reaffirmed the five-year revocation period but eliminated the educational and competency examination requirements; and the Director adopted this recommendation. On administrative review of this order, the circuit court affirmed the Department.\nThe trial court\u2019s rulings with respect to the sanction imposed on the plaintiff were correct. The court found the initial sanction to be excessive, and this was within its authority to do. Although the court initially ordered an alternative sanction and reduced the revocation period from 5 years to 30 months, on reconsideration, the court correctly held that it was without power to do this. Instead, the court remanded the case to the Department for its reconsideration of the appropriate sanction. The Department reaffirmed the five-year revocation period but eliminated the educational and competency examination requirements that were originally imposed. The trial court affirmed. We cannot say that this latter affirmance was erroneous nor does our own review of the sanction lead to a conclusion that the sanction was arbitrary or capricious (Pelling, 214 Ill. App. 3d 675, 574 N.E.2d 116). Furthermore, in view of our reversal on the charge of abandonment, we defer to the Department\u2019s expertise and experience (Abrahamson, 153 Ill. 2d 76, 606 N.E.2d 1111), and remand the case to the Department for a determination of whether the same or a reduced sanction should be imposed.\nFor the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.\nAffirmed in part; reversed in part and remanded.\nMcNULTY and COUSINS, JJ., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE GORDON" } ], "attorneys": [ "James K. Leven, of Northfield, for appellant.", "Roland Burris, Attorney General, of Chicago (Rosalyn B. Kaplan, Solicitor General, and Jerald S. Post, Assistant Attorney General, of counsel), for appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "INNO U. OBASI, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. THE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL REGULATION et al., Defendants-Appellees.\nFirst District (5th Division)\nNo. 1 \u2014 92\u20141430\nOpinion filed August 19, 1994.\nJames K. Leven, of Northfield, for appellant.\nRoland Burris, Attorney General, of Chicago (Rosalyn B. Kaplan, Solicitor General, and Jerald S. Post, Assistant Attorney General, of counsel), for appellees." }, "file_name": "0693-01", "first_page_order": 711, "last_page_order": 723 }