(65 ILCS 5/Art. 11 Div. 9 heading) DIVISION 9.
FIRE INSPECTION IN MUNICIPALITIES
OF 500,000 OR MORE
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(65 ILCS 5/11-9-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-9-1)
Sec. 11-9-1.
The fire inspector of every municipality with a population of
500,000 or more shall investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of
every fire occurring in the municipality and shall especially investigate
whether it was the result of carelessness or design. Such an investigation
shall be begun within 2 days, not including Sunday, of the occurrence of a
fire. The fire inspector shall keep in his office a record of all fires
occurring in the municipality, together with a record of all the facts,
statistics, and circumstances, including the origin of the fire and the
value and ownership of the property destroyed, which may be determined by
the investigations provided for by this Division 9. This record shall be
open to public inspection at all times.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)
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(65 ILCS 5/11-9-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-9-2)
Sec. 11-9-2.
If he deems it necessary, the specified fire inspector shall
take, or cause to be taken, the sworn testimony of all persons supposed to
be cognizant of any facts or to have means of knowledge in relation to the
matters as to which an examination is required by Section 11-9-1 to be
made, and cause the testimony to be reduced to writing. If the fire
inspector is of the opinion that there is evidence sufficient to charge a
person with the crime of arson, the fire inspector shall cause that person
to be arrested and charged with that offense. He shall furnish to the
state's attorney the names of the witnesses and all information obtained by
him, including a copy of all pertinent and material testimony taken in the
case. The fire inspector shall report to the Director of Insurance, for the
Department of Insurance, as that Director requires, his proceedings and the
progress made in all prosecutions of arson and the result of all cases
which are finally disposed of.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)
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(65 ILCS 5/11-9-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-9-3)
Sec. 11-9-3.
The specified fire inspector has the powers of a trial judge
for the purpose of summoning and compelling the attendance of witnesses
before him to testify in relation to any matter which is, by the provisions
of Section 11-9-1, a subject of investigation. The fire inspector may also
administer oaths and affirmations to persons appearing as witnesses before
him. False swearing in any matter or proceeding provided for in Sections
11-9-1 and 11-9-2 is perjury and shall be punished as such. The fire
inspector and his subordinates have authority at all times of the day or
night, in the performance of the duties imposed by the provisions of
Sections 11-9-1 and 11-9-2, to examine any building or premises where a
fire has occurred and adjoining and nearby buildings and premises. All
investigations held by or under the direction of the fire inspector may be
private, in his discretion. Persons other than those required to be present
by the provisions of Sections 11-9-1 and 11-9-2 may be excluded from the
place where the investigation is held, and the witnesses may be kept apart
from each other and not allowed to communicate with each other until they
have been examined.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)
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(65 ILCS 5/11-9-4) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-9-4)
Sec. 11-9-4.
Any owner or occupant of a building or premises who fails to
comply with the orders of the fire inspector, as specified in Section
11-9-3, shall be guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined not less than
$10 nor more than $50 for each day's neglect. If the fire inspector
neglects or refuses to comply with any of the requirements of this Division
9, he shall be guilty of a petty offense.
(Source: P.A. 77-2500.)
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