What constitutes a business offense for a notary public in Illinois?

Accepting payment for legal advice is considered a business offense for a notary public in Illinois because notaries are not authorized to provide legal services or advice. Their role is strictly limited to witnessing signature, administering oaths, and performing other notarial acts as defined by law. By giving legal advice, a notary could potentially mislead clients and engage in the unauthorized practice of law, which is illegal. This underscores the importance of adhering strictly to the professional boundaries of the notary’s powers and responsibilities.

In contrast, while failure to charge fees might raise ethical questions, it does not constitute a criminal offense. Similarly, not completing a document correctly could result in the document being deemed ineffective, but this does not rise to the level of a business offense. Exceeding the number of clients does not apply as there is no statutory limitation on the number of clients a notary can serve; the focus must remain on performing notarial duties properly within the bounds of Illinois law.