Instead of filing a criminal complaint against a new or used vehicle dealer, or against any other entity licensed by the Secretary under this Code, or any other unlicensed entity acting in violation of this Code, a Secretary of State Police investigator may issue administrative citations for violations of any of the provisions of this Code or any administrative rule adopted by the Secretary under this Code. A party receiving a citation shall have the right to contest the citation in proceedings before the Secretary of State Department of Administrative Hearings. Penalties imposed by issuance of an administrative citation shall not exceed $50 per violation. A penalty may not be imposed unless, during the course of a single investigation or upon review of the party’s records, the party is found to have committed at least 3 separate violations of one or more of the provisions of this Code or any administrative rule adopted by the Secretary under this Code. Penalties paid as a result of the issuance of administrative citations shall be deposited in the Secretary of State Police Services Fund.