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Illinois Compiled Statutes

Information maintained by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Updating the database of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) is an ongoing process. Recent laws may not yet be included in the ILCS database, but they are found on this site as Public Acts soon after they become law. For information concerning the relationship between statutes and Public Acts, refer to the Guide.

Because the statute database is maintained primarily for legislative drafting purposes, statutory changes are sometimes included in the statute database before they take effect. If the source note at the end of a Section of the statutes includes a Public Act that has not yet taken effect, the version of the law that is currently in effect may have already been removed from the database and you should refer to that Public Act to see the changes made to the current law.

VEHICLES
(625 ILCS 5/) Illinois Vehicle Code.

625 ILCS 5/18b-108

    (625 ILCS 5/18b-108) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18b-108)
    Sec. 18b-108. Violations; criminal penalties.
    (a) The provisions of Chapter 16 shall be applicable to acts committed by a driver of a motor vehicle that violate this Chapter or any rule or regulation issued under this Chapter.
    (b) Except as provided in subsection (d), any driver who willfully violates any provision of this Chapter or any rule or regulation issued under this Chapter is guilty of a Class 4 felony. In addition to any other penalties prescribed by law, the maximum fine for each offense is $10,000. Such violation shall be prosecuted by the State's Attorney or the Attorney General.
    (c) Except as provided in subsection (d), any person, other than a driver, who willfully violates or causes another to violate any provision of this Chapter or any rule or regulation issued under this Chapter is guilty of a Class 3 felony. In addition to any other penalties prescribed by law, the maximum fine for each offense is $25,000. Such violation shall be prosecuted at the request of the Department by the State's Attorney or the Attorney General.
    (d) Any driver who willfully violates Parts 392, 395, Sections 391.11, 391.15, 391.41, or 391.45 of Part 391, or any other Part of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as adopted by reference in Section 18b-105 of this Code, which would place the driver or vehicle out of service, when the violation results in a motor vehicle crash that causes great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement, or death to another person, is guilty of a Class 3 felony. Any person other than the driver who willfully violates Parts 392, 395, Sections 391.11, 391.15, 391.41, or 391.45 of Part 391 or any other Part of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as adopted by reference in Section 18b-105 of this Code, which would place the driver or vehicle out of service, when the violation results in a motor vehicle crash that causes great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement, or death to another person, is guilty of a Class 2 felony.
(Source: P.A. 102-982, eff. 7-1-23.)

625 ILCS 5/18b-109

    (625 ILCS 5/18b-109) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18b-109)
    Sec. 18b-109. Enforcement of Rules and Regulations. Only the Illinois State Police shall enforce the rules and regulations issued under this Chapter against drivers. The Department and the Illinois State Police shall enforce the rules and regulations issued under this Chapter against persons other than drivers.
(Source: P.A. 86-611.)

625 ILCS 5/18b-110

    (625 ILCS 5/18b-110) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18b-110)
    Sec. 18b-110. Conflict With Other Laws. This Chapter is not intended to affect any State law or ordinance of a local authority now in effect or intrude upon the duties and responsibilities of any State or local officer with respect to matters related to the subject to this Chapter, but in the case of any conflict with other State laws or ordinance of local authorities relating to the transportation of persons or property by highway, the provisions of this Chapter shall control.
(Source: P.A. 86-611.)

625 ILCS 5/18b-111

    (625 ILCS 5/18b-111) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18b-111)
    Sec. 18b-111. Review Under Administrative Review Law. All administrative decisions of the Department under this Chapter shall be subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law, as now or hereafter amended.
(Source: P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.)

625 ILCS 5/18b-112

    (625 ILCS 5/18b-112)
    Sec. 18b-112. Intermodal trailer, chassis, and safety.
    (a) Definitions. For purposes of this Section:
    "Equipment interchange agreement" means a written document executed by the intermodal equipment provider and operator at the time the equipment is interchanged by the provider to the operator.
    "Equipment provider" is the owner of an intermodal trailer, chassis, or container. This includes any forwarding company, water carrier, steamship line, railroad, vehicle equipment leasing company, and their subsidiary or affiliated companies owning the equipment.
    "Federal motor carrier safety regulations" means regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation governing the condition and maintenance of commercial motor vehicles contained in Title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations on the day of enactment of this Act or as amended or revised by the United States Department of Transportation thereafter.
    "Interchange" means the act of providing a vehicle to a motor carrier by an equipment provider for the purpose of transporting the vehicle for loading or unloading by another party or the repositioning of the vehicle for the benefit of the equipment provider. "Interchange" does not include the leasing of the vehicle by a motor carrier from an owner-operator pursuant to subpart B of Part 376 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations or the leasing of a vehicle to a motor carrier for use in the motor carrier's over-the-road freight hauling operations.
    "Operator" means a motor carrier or driver of a commercial motor vehicle.
    "Vehicle" means an intermodal trailer, chassis, or container.
    (b) Responsibility of equipment provider. An equipment provider shall not interchange or offer for interchange a vehicle with an operator for use on a highway which vehicle is in violation of the requirements contained in the federal motor carrier safety regulations. It is the responsibility of the equipment provider to inspect and, if a vehicle at the time of inspection does not comply with all federal motor carrier safety regulation requirements, perform the necessary repairs on, all vehicles prior to interchange or offering for interchange.
    (c) Duty of inspection by the operator. Before interchanging a vehicle with an operator, an equipment provider must provide the operator the opportunity and facilities to perform a visual inspection of the equipment. The operator must determine if it complies with the provisions of the federal motor carrier safety regulation capable of being determined from an inspection. If the operator determines that the vehicle does not comply with the provisions of the federal motor carrier safety regulations, the equipment provider shall immediately perform the necessary repairs to the vehicle so that it complies with the federal motor carrier safety regulations or shall immediately provide the operator with another vehicle.
    (d) Presumption of defect prior to interchange.
        (1) If as a result of a roadside inspection by the
    
Illinois State Police, any of the defects listed in paragraph (2) are discovered, a rebuttable presumption existed at the time of the interchange. If a summons or complaint is issued to the operator, the operator may seek relief pursuant to paragraph (3).
        (2) A rebuttable presumption exists that the
    
following defects were present at the time of the interchange:
            (A) There is a defect with the brake drum when:
                (I) the drum cracks;
                (II) the lining is loose or missing; or
                (III) the lining is saturated with oil.
            (B) There is a defect of inoperative brakes when:
                (I) there is no movement of any components;
                (II) there are missing, broken, or loose
            
components; or
                (III) there are mismatched components.
            (C) There is a defect with the air lines and
        
tubing when:
                (I) there is a bulge and swelling;
                (II) there is an audible air leak; or
                (III) there are air lines broken, cracked, or
            
crimped.
            (D) There is a defect with the reservoir tank
        
when there is any separation of original attachment points.
            (E) There is a defect with the frames when:
                (I) there is any cracked, loose, sagging, or
            
broken frame members which measure one and one-half inch in web or one inch or longer in bottom flange or any crack extending from web radius into bottom flange; or
                (II) there is any condition which causes
            
moving parts to come in contact with the frame.
            (F) There is an electrical defect when wires are
        
chaffed.
            (G) There is a defect with the wheel assembly
        
when:
                (I) there is low or no oil;
                (II) there is oil leakage on brake
            
components;
                (III) there are lug nuts that are loose or
            
missing; or
                (IV) the wheel bearings are not properly
            
maintained.
            (H) There is a defect with the tires when:
                (I) there is improper inflation;
                (II) there is tire separation from the
            
casing; or
                (III) there are exposed plys or belting
            
material.
            (I) There is defect with rim cracks when:
                (I) there is any circumferential crack,
            
except a manufactured crack; or
                (II) there is a lock or side ring cracked,
            
bent, broken, sprung, improperly seated, or mismatched.
            (J) There is a defect with the suspension when:
                (I) there are spring assembly leaves broken,
            
missing, or separated; or
                (II) there are spring hanger, u-bolts, or
            
axle positioning components cracked, broken loose, or missing.
            (K) There is a defect with the chassis locking
        
pins when there is any twist lock or fitting for securement that is sprung, broken, or improperly latched.
        (3) If an operator receives a citation for a
    
violation due to a defect in any equipment specified in subsection (d)(2), the equipment provider shall reimburse the operator for any:
            (A) fines and costs, including court costs and
        
reasonable attorneys fees, incurred as a result of the citation; and
            (B) costs incurred by the operator to repair the
        
defects specified in the citation, including any towing costs incurred.
        The equipment provider shall reimburse the operator
    
within 30 days of the final court action. If the equipment provider fails to reimburse the operator within 30 days, the operator has a civil cause of action against the equipment provider.
    (e) Fines and penalties. Any person violating the provisions of this Section shall be fined no less than $50 and no more than $500 for each violation.
    (f) Obligation of motor carrier. Nothing in this Section is intended to eliminate the responsibility and obligation of a motor carrier and operator to maintain and operate vehicles in accordance with the federal motor carrier safety regulations and applicable State and local laws and regulations.
    (g) This Section shall not be applied, construed, or implemented in any manner inconsistent with, or in conflict with, any provision of the federal motor carrier safety regulations.
(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

625 ILCS 5/Ch. 18C

 
    (625 ILCS 5/Ch. 18C heading)
CHAPTER 18C. ILLINOIS COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION LAW

625 ILCS 5/Ch. 18C Sub-ch. 1

 
    (625 ILCS 5/Ch. 18C Sub-ch. 1 heading)
SUB-CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

625 ILCS 5/Ch 18C Sub 1 Art I

 
    (625 ILCS 5/Ch 18C Sub 1 Art I heading)
ARTICLE I. SHORT TITLE, LEGISLATIVE INTENT, STATE
TRANSPORTATION POLICY, AND DEFINITIONS

625 ILCS 5/18c-1101

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1101) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1101)
    Sec. 18c-1101. Short Title. This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Illinois Commercial Transportation Law".
(Source: P.A. 84-796.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1102

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1102) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1102)
    Sec. 18c-1102. Legislative Intent. The General Assembly finds that:
        (a) a comprehensive recodification of existing
    
transportation regulatory statutes is needed to delete obsolete provisions and facilitate a coordinated approach to regulation of motor carriers, rail carriers, and brokers;
        (b) the accelerating pace of change in the
    
transportation industry, as an outgrowth of changing economic conditions and federal legislation, necessitates the streamlining of regulatory procedures to allow for prompt action to protect the interests of the people of the State of Illinois; and
        (c) an increasing incidence of unlawful activity by
    
unlicensed carriers and others has rendered existing enforcement mechanisms inadequate.
     Where the language of any provision in this Chapter is substantially similar to the language in the predecessor statute, the legislative intent expressed in this Chapter shall be the same as the legislative intent embodied in the predecessor statute as construed by the courts of this State and, where appropriate, reports of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Laws Commission.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1103

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1103) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1103)
    Sec. 18c-1103. State Transportation Policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Illinois to actively supervise and regulate commercial transportation of persons and property within this state. This policy shall be carried out in such manner as to: (a) promote adequate, economical, efficient and responsive commercial transportation service, with adequate revenues to carriers and reasonable rates to the public, and without discrimination; (b) recognize and preserve the inherent advantages of, and foster sound economic conditions in, the several modes of commercial transportation in the public interest; (c) develop and preserve a commercial transportation system properly supportive of the broad economic development goals of the State of Illinois; (d) create economic and employment opportunities in commercial transportation and affected industries through economic growth and development; (e) encourage fair wages and safe and suitable working conditions in the transportation industry; (f) protect the public safety through administration of a program of safety standards and insurance; (g) insure a stable and well-coordinated transportation system for shippers, carriers and the public; and (h) cooperate with the federal government, the several states, and with the organizations representing states and commercial transportation service providers and consumers.
(Source: P.A. 84-796.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1104

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1104) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1104)
    Sec. 18c-1104. Definitions. The following terms, when used in this Chapter, have the hereinafter designated meanings unless their context clearly indicates otherwise:
    (1) "Broker" means any person other than a motor carrier of property, that arranges, offers to arrange, or holds itself out, by solicitation, advertisement, or otherwise, as arranging or offering to arrange for-hire transportation of property or other service in connection therewith by a motor carrier of property which holds or is required to hold a license issued by the Commission.
    (2) "Carrier" means any motor carrier or rail carrier other than a private carrier.
    (3) "Certificate" means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under this Chapter to common carriers of household goods.
    (4) "Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission.
    (5) "Commission regulations and orders" means rules and regulations adopted and orders or decisions issued by the Commission pursuant to this Chapter; any certificate, permit, broker's license or other license or registration issued pursuant to such rules, regulations, orders and decisions; and all terms, conditions, or limitations thereof.
    (6) (Blank).
    (7) (Blank).
    (8) (Blank).
    (9) "Discrimination" means undue discrimination in the context of the particular mode of transportation involved.
    (10) "Farm crossing" means a crossing used for agricultural and livestock purposes only.
    (11) "For-hire" means for compensation or hire, regardless of the form of compensation and whether compensation is direct or indirect.
    (12) "Freight forwarder" means any person other than a motor carrier, rail carrier, or common carrier by pipeline which holds itself out as a common carrier to provide transportation of property, for compensation or hire, which, in the rendition of its services:
        (a) Undertakes responsibility for the consolidation
    
(where applicable), transportation, break-bulk (where applicable), and distribution of such property from the point of receipt to the point of delivery; and
        (b) Utilizes, for the transportation of such
    
property, the services of one or more motor carriers or rail carriers.
    (13) "Hazardous material" means any substance or material in a quantity and form determined by the federal Office of Hazardous Materials and the Federal Railroad Administration to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when transported in commerce.
    (13.1) "Household goods" means:
        (A) Personal effects and property used or to be used
    
in a dwelling when a part of the equipment or supply of such dwelling; except that this subdivision (13.1) shall not be construed to include property moving from a factory or store, except such property as the householder has purchased with intent to use in his or her dwelling and that is transported at the request of, and the transportation charges paid to the carrier by, the householder;
        (B) Furniture, fixtures, equipment, and the property
    
of stores, offices, museums, institutions, hospitals, or other establishments, when a part of the stock, equipment, or supply of such stores, offices, museums, institutions, hospitals, or other establishments; except that this subdivision (13.1) shall not be construed to include the stock-in-trade of any establishment, whether consignor or consignee, other than used furniture and used fixtures, except when transported as an incident to the moving of the establishment, or a portion thereof, from one location to another; and
        (C) Articles, including, but not limited to, objects
    
of art, displays, and exhibits, which, because of their unusual nature or value, require the specialized handling and equipment usually employed in moving household goods; except that this subdivision (13.1) shall not be construed to include any article, whether crated or uncrated, that does not, because of its unusual nature or value, require the specialized handling and equipment usually employed in moving household goods.
    (13.2) "Household goods carrier" means a motor carrier of property authorized to transport household goods.
    (13.3) "Household goods common carrier" means any household goods carrier engaged in transportation for the general public over regular or irregular routes. Household goods common carriers may also be referred to as "common carriers of household goods".
    (13.4) "Household goods contract carrier" means any household goods carrier engaged in transportation under contract with a limited number of shippers (that shall not be freight forwarders, shippers' agents or brokers) that either (a) assigns motor vehicles for a continuing period of time to the exclusive use of the shipper or shippers served, or (b) furnishes transportation service designed to meet the distinct need of the shipper or shippers served. Household goods contract carriers may also be referred to as "contract carriers of household goods".
    (14) "Interstate carrier" means any person engaged in the for-hire transportation of persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce in this State, whether or not such transportation is pursuant to authority issued to it by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
    (15) "Intrastate carrier" means any person engaged in the for-hire transportation of persons or property in intrastate commerce in this State.
    (16) "Interstate commerce" means commerce between a point in the State of Illinois and a point outside the State of Illinois, or between points outside the State of Illinois when such commerce moves through Illinois, or between points in Illinois moving through another state in a bona fide operation that is either exempt from federal regulation or moves under a certificate or permit issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission authorizing interstate transportation, whether such commerce moves wholly by motor vehicle or partly by motor vehicle and partly by any other regulated means of transportation where the commodity does not come to rest or change its identity during the movement, and includes commerce originating or terminating in a foreign country moving through the State of Illinois.
    (17) "Intrastate commerce" means commerce moving wholly between points within the State of Illinois, whether such commerce moves wholly by one transportation mode or partly by one mode and partly by any other mode of transportation.
    (18) "License" means any certificate, permit, broker's license, or other license issued under this Chapter. For purposes of Article III of Sub-chapter 4 of this Chapter, "license" does not include a "public carrier certificate".
    (19) "Motor carrier" means any person engaged in the transportation of property or passengers, or both, for hire, over the public roads of this State, by motor vehicle. Motor carriers engaged in the transportation of property are referred to as "motor carriers of property"; motor carriers engaged in the transportation of passengers are referred to as "motor carriers of passengers" or "bus companies".
    (20) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle, truck, trucktractor, trailer or semitrailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used upon the highways of the State in the transportation of property or passengers.
    (21) "Non-relocation towing" means the:
        (a) For-hire transportation of vehicles by use of
    
wrecker or towing equipment, other than the removal of trespassing vehicles from private property subject to the provisions of Chapter 18a of this Code, and other than transportation exempted by Section 18c-4102; and
        (b) For-hire towing of wheeled property other than
    
vehicles.
    (22) "Notice" means with regard to all proceedings except enforcement proceedings instituted on the motion of the Commission, and except for interstate motor carrier registrations, public notice by publication in the official state newspaper, unless otherwise provided in this Chapter.
    (23) "Official state newspaper" means the newspaper designated and certified to the Commission annually by the Director of Central Management Services of the State of Illinois, or, if said Director fails to certify to the Commission the name and address of the official newspaper selected by the Director prior to expiration of the previous certification, the newspaper designated in the most recent certification.
    (24) "Party" means any person admitted as a party to a Commission proceeding or seeking and entitled as a matter of right to admission as a party to a Commission proceeding.
    (25) "Permit" means a permit issued under this Chapter to contract carriers of property by motor vehicle.
    (26) "Person" means any natural person or legal entity, whether such entity is a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association, or other entity, and, where a provision concerns the acts or omissions of a person, includes the partners, officers, employees, and agents of the person, as well as any trustees, assignees, receivers, or personal representatives of the person.
    (27) "Private carrier by motor vehicle" means any person engaged in the transportation of property or passengers by motor vehicle other than for hire, whether the person is the owner, lessee or bailee of the lading or otherwise, when the transportation is for the purpose of sale, lease, or bailment and in furtherance of the person's primary business, other than transportation. "Private carriers by motor vehicle" may be referred to as "private carriers". Ownership, lease or bailment of the lading is not sufficient proof of a private carrier operation if the carrier is, in fact, engaged in the transportation of property for-hire.
    (27.1) "Public carrier" means a motor carrier of property, other than a household goods carrier.
    (27.2) "Public carrier certificate" means a certificate issued to a motor carrier to transport property, other than household goods, in intrastate commerce. The issuance of a public carrier certificate shall not be subject to the provisions of Article I of Sub-chapter 2 of this Chapter.
    (28) "Public convenience and necessity" shall be construed to have the same meaning under this Chapter as it was construed by the courts to have under the Illinois Motor Carrier of Property Law, with respect to motor carriers of property, and the Public Utilities Act with respect to motor carriers of passengers and rail carriers.
    (29) "Public interest" shall be construed to have the same meaning under this Chapter as it was construed by the courts to have under the Illinois Motor Carrier of Property Law.
    (30) "Rail carrier" means any person engaged in the transportation of property or passengers for hire by railroad, together with all employees or agents of such person or entity, and all property used, controlled, or owned by such person or entity.
    (31) "Railroad" means track and associated structures, including bridges, tunnels, switches, spurs, terminals and other facilities, and equipment, including engines, freight cars, passenger cars, cabooses, and other equipment, used in the transportation of property or passengers by rail.
    (32) "Rail yard" means a system of parallel tracks, cross-overs and switches where cars are switched and made up into trains, and where cars, locomotives, and other rolling stock are kept when not in use or awaiting repairs. A "rail yard" may also be referred to as a "yard".
    (33) "Rate" means every individual or joint rate, fare, toll, or charge of any carrier or carriers, any provisions relating to application thereof, and any tariff or schedule containing rates and provisions. The term "tariff" refers to a publication or document containing motor common carrier rates and provisions or rates and provisions applicable via rail carrier under contracts established pursuant to 49 U.S. Code 10713. The term "schedule" refers to a publication or document containing motor contract carrier rates and provisions.
    (34) "Registration" means a registration issued to an interstate carrier.
    (35) "Shipper" means the consignor or consignee.
    (36) "Terminal area" means, in addition to the area within the corporate boundary of an incorporated city, village, municipality, or community center, the area (whether incorporated or unincorporated) within 10 air miles of the corporate limits of the base city, village, municipality, or community center, including all of any city, village or municipality which lies within such area.
    (37) "Transfer" means the sale, lease, consolidation, merger, acquisition or change of control, or other transfer of a license, in whole or in part.
    (38) "Transportation" means the actual movement of property or passengers by motor vehicle (without regard to ownership of vehicles or equipment used in providing transportation service) or rail together with loading, unloading, and any other accessorial or ancillary service provided by the carrier in connection with movement by motor vehicle or rail, which is performed by or on behalf of the carriers, its employees or agents, or under the authority or direction of the carrier or under the apparent authority or direction and with the knowledge of the carrier. Transportation of property by motor vehicle includes driveaway or towaway delivery service.
    (39) "Towing" means the pushing, towing, or drawing of wheeled property by means of a crane, hoist, towbar, towline, or auxiliary axle.
    (40) "Wrecker or towing equipment" means tow trucks or auxiliary axles, when used in relation to towing accidentally wrecked or disabled vehicles; and roll-back carriers or trailers, when used in relation to transporting accidentally wrecked or disabled vehicles. Wrecker or towing equipment does not include car carriers or trailers other than roll-back car carriers or trailers.
(Source: P.A. 89-42, eff. 1-1-96; 89-444, eff. 1-25-96; 90-14, eff. 7-1-97.)

625 ILCS 5/Ch 18C Sub 1 Art II

 
    (625 ILCS 5/Ch 18C Sub 1 Art II heading)
ARTICLE II. JURISDICTION AND POWER
OF THE COMMISSION

625 ILCS 5/18c-1201

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1201) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1201)
    Sec. 18c-1201. Jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of the Commission under this Chapter shall extend to for-hire transportation by motor carrier and rail carrier, the activities of brokers, and to other activities specifically enumerated herein, within the State of Illinois, and except as otherwise provided elsewhere in this Chapter shall extend only to intrastate commerce.
(Source: P.A. 89-42, eff. 1-1-96.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1202

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1202) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1202)
    Sec. 18c-1202. Enumeration of Powers. The Commission shall have the power to:
    (1) Administer and enforce provisions of this Chapter;
    (2) Regulate the entry, exit, and services of carriers; as to public carriers, this power is limited to matters relating to insurance and safety standards;
    (3) Regulate rates and practices of household goods carriers, rail carriers, passenger carriers, and common carriers by pipeline;
    (4) Establish and maintain systems of accounting as well as reporting and record-keeping requirements for household goods carriers, rail carriers, passenger carriers, and common carriers by pipeline;
    (5) Establish and maintain systems for the classification of carriers, commodities and services;
    (6) Regulate practices, terms and conditions relating to the leasing of equipment and to the interchange of equipment among carriers; as to public carriers, this power is limited to matters relating to insurance and safety standards;
    (7) Protect the public safety through insurance and safety standards;
    (8) Regulate brokers in accordance with provisions of this Chapter;
    (9) Adopt appropriate regulations setting forth the standards and procedures by which it will administer and enforce this Chapter, with such regulations being uniform for all modes of transportation or different for the different modes as will, in the opinion of the Commission, best effectuate the purposes of this Chapter;
    (10) Conduct hearings and investigations, on its own motion or the motion of a person;
    (11) Adjudicate disputes, hear complaints or other petitions for relief, and settle such matters by stipulation or agreement;
    (12) Create special procedures for the receipt and handling of consumer complaints;
    (13) Issue certificates describing the extent to which a person is exempt under the provisions of this Chapter;
    (14) Construe this Chapter, Commission regulations and orders, except that the rule of ejusdem generis shall not be applicable in the construction or interpretation of any license, certificate or permit originally issued under the Illinois Motor Carrier of Property Law and now governed by subchapter 4 of this Chapter or issued under subchapter 4 of this Chapter prior to July 1, 1989;
    (15) Employ such persons as are needed to administer and enforce this Chapter, in such capacities as they are needed, whether as hearings examiners, special examiners, enforcement officers, investigators, or otherwise;
    (16) Create advisory committees made up of representatives of the various transportation modes, shippers, receivers, or other members of the public;
    (17) Initiate and participate in proceedings in the federal or State courts, and in proceedings before federal or other State agencies, to the extent necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Chapter, provided that participation in specific proceedings is directed, in writing, by the Commission;
    (18) Direct any telecommunications carrier to disconnect the telephone number published in any commercial listing of any household goods carrier that does not have a valid license issued by the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 89-444, eff. 1-25-96.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1203

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1203) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1203)
    Sec. 18c-1203. Initial Decisions.
    (1) Delegation of Authority.
        (a) General Delegation. The power to make an initial
    
decision in all matters under this Chapter and Chapter 18a which are interlocutory or which are not the subject of an active controversy between parties, except in motor carrier of property licensing cases and cases assigned for hearing, is delegated to one or more staff members who shall be designated by the Commission.
        (b) Delegation to Examiners. The power to make
    
initial decisions shall be vested in the examiner, in all cases assigned for hearing, except in household goods carrier licensing cases.
    (2) Form of Decisions. Decisions under this Section shall be by letter notice or directive, signed by the person authorized to make the initial decision. Such notice or directive shall be effective and enforceable in the same manner as an order of the Commission.
    (3) Appeal of Initial Decisions. All initial decisions rendered under this Section may be appealed to the Commission. Appeal of interlocutory decisions by an examiner in a case assigned for hearing shall be in accordance with the Commission's Rules of Practice. Appeal of other initial decisions shall be by motion for reconsideration in accordance with Section 18c-2110 of this Chapter.
    (4) Enforcement. An initial decision which has not been administratively appealed or the administrative appeal of which has been denied shall be effective and enforceable in the same manner as an order of the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 89-444, eff. 1-25-96.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1204

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1204) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1204)
    Sec. 18c-1204. Transportation Division.
    (1) Establishment. There shall be established within the staff of the Commission a Transportation Division in which primary staff responsibility for the administration and enforcement of this Chapter and Chapter 18a shall be vested. The Transportation Division shall be headed by a division manager responsible to the executive director.
    (2) Structure. The Transportation Division shall consist of 4 programs and 2 offices. The 4 programs shall be Compliance, Review and Examination, Docketing and Processing, and Rail Safety. Each program shall be headed by a program director and responsible to the division manager, except that in the Compliance Program the 3 staff supervisors shall each be responsible to the division manager. The 2 offices shall be the Office of Transportation Counsel and the Office of the Division Manager. The Office of Transportation Counsel shall be headed by a Chief Counsel responsible to the Division Manager. The Division Manager shall coordinate the activities and responsibilities of the Office of Transportation Counsel with the executive director and the personal assistant serving as staff counsel to the executive director in the office of the executive director, and with the Commission.
        (a) The Compliance Program.
            (i) The Compliance Program shall consist of a
        
police staff, a rate auditing staff, and a civil penalties staff. These staffs shall be headed by a Chief of Police, a Supervisor of Tariffs and Audits, and a Supervisor of Civil Penalties, respectively.
            (ii) The police staff shall be divided into
        
districts with a field office in each district. Each district shall be headed by a working supervisor responsible to the Chief of Police. All staff responsibility for enforcement of this Chapter, except with regard to rail safety, shall be vested in the Compliance Program.
        (b) The Review and Examination Program.
            (i) Staff responsibility for review of all
        
nonhearing matters under this Chapter and Chapter 18a and examination of all matters assigned for hearing under this Chapter and Chapter 18a shall be vested in the Review and Examination Program, except as otherwise provided in Section 18c-1204b.
            (ii) Hearing examiners in the program shall have
        
responsibility for developing a full, complete and impartial record on all issues to be decided in a proceeding; recommending disposition of the issues or making an initial decision on them, as provided in this Chapter; and setting forth in writing the basis for their recommendations or initial decisions. The program director shall be the chief hearing examiner for matters under this Chapter and Chapter 18a with responsibility to insure consistency of recommendations and initial decisions.
        (c) The Processing and Docketing Program. All staff
    
responsibility for docketing and processing filings, accounting of receipts and expenditures, issuing, file maintenance and other processing functions under this Chapter and Chapter 18a shall be vested in the Processing Program.
        (d) The Rail Safety Program. Staff responsibility for
    
administration and enforcement of the rail safety provisions of this Chapter shall be vested in the Rail Safety Program.
        (e) The Office of Transportation Counsel.
            (i) All Commission staff responsibility for
        
provision of legal services in connection with any matter under this Chapter, excepting any matter under subchapters 7 and 8 of this Chapter, or in connection with any matter under Chapter 18a shall, except with regard to functions vested in the review and examination program under paragraph (b) of this subsection, be vested exclusively in the Office of Transportation Counsel.
            (ii) The Office of Transportation Counsel shall,
        
when directed through the division manager to do so, represent the Commission or Commission staff in administrative or judicial proceedings and render staff advisory opinions to the executive director and the Commission.
        (f) Levels of Administration. No additional levels
    
of administration, supervision or authority shall be superimposed, or remain superimposed, between levels prescribed under this Section, and no organizational units may be created within the Transportation Division except as prescribed under this Section.
    (3) Additional Functions. Staff functions relating to rulemaking, policy recommendations and advisory committees under this Chapter and Chapter 18a shall be vested in the Transportation Division.
    The staff shall prepare and distribute to the General Assembly, in April of each year, a report on railway accidents in Illinois which involve hazardous materials. The report shall include the location, substance involved, amounts involved, and the suspected reason for each accident. The report shall also reveal the rail line and point of origin of the hazardous material involved in each accident.
(Source: P.A. 88-415.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1204a

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1204a) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1204a)
    Sec. 18c-1204a. Docketing Procedures. (1) Mandatory Docketing Requirement. All pleadings filed with the Commission under this Chapter and Chapter 18a shall be docketed in a timely manner.
    (2) Staff Objections. If staff believes a pleading filed with the Commission under this Chapter and Chapter 18a to be defective in any respect, it may file its objection with the Commission in writing, provided a copy of the objection is simultaneously served on the person who filed the pleading and 15 days are allowed for the filing of a reply. The Commission may, if it finds that the pleading is defective, either dismiss the proceeding or permit amendment of the pleading, provided that intervenors are permitted adequate time after amendment to prepare for continuation of the proceeding.
(Source: P.A. 85-553.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1204b

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1204b) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1204b)
    Sec. 18c-1204b. Certification of Records. Copies of all official documents and orders filed or deposited according to the law in the office of the Commission under this Chapter or Chapter 18a, certified by the director of the processing and docketing program to be true copies of the originals, under the official seal of the Commission, shall be evidence in like manner as the originals.
(Source: P.A. 85-553.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1204c

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1204c) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1204c)
    Sec. 18c-1204c. Independent Review of Decisions on Administrative Appeal. (1) Requirement of Independent Review. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this Section:
    (a) Review of Staff Decisions. No decision made by other than the Commission shall be reviewed on administrative appeal by the person or board which made the decision, unless the appeal requests review by the person or board which made the decision.
    (b) Review of Commission or Employee Board Decisions. No decision made by the Commission or an employee board shall be reviewed on administrative appeal by the person or board which made the formal recommendation pursuant to which the decision was made, unless the appeal requests review by the person or board which made the formal recommendation.
    (2) Independent Review Board. (a) Establishment of an Independent Review Board. The Commission shall establish an Independent Review Board which shall review motions for rehearing and reconsideration which do not request review by the person or board which made the decision or the formal recommendation pursuant to which the decision was made.
    (b) Composition of the Independent Review Board. The Board shall consist of 3 members appointed by the Commission, one of whom shall be designated as the chairman. The Commission shall appoint the members from Commission staff whose expenses may be allocated to the Transportation Regulatory Fund under Section 18c-1603. If the Transportation Division is not represented on the Board by a voting member, the Commission shall appoint a nonvoting member from the Transportation Division.
    (c) Functions of the Independent Review Board. The Board shall review all motions presented to it under this Section. The Board may, in its discretion, review the record of the proceeding and hear oral argument by the parties. The Board shall recommend a decision by the Commission. If a Board member dissents from the recommendation, any dissenting opinion supplied by the member shall be attached.
    (3) Applicability of Section. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any matter arising under Subchapter 7 of this Chapter.
(Source: P.A. 86-1005.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1204d

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1204d) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1204d)
    Sec. 18c-1204d. Staff participation. (1) General Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, Commission staff participation in the administration or enforcement of this Law in a supervisory, advisory, or other capacity shall be limited to personnel whose expenses are, in whole or in part, allocable to the Transportation Regulatory Fund.
    (2) Exceptions. The provisions of subsection (1) of this Section shall not apply to:
    (a) Staff of the office of chairman and commissioners serving as personal assistants or clerical support to the members;
    (b) Members of the Independent Review Board serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989, while serving in their current capacities; or
    (c) Commission staff other than the staff of the office of chairman and commissioners participating in proceedings involving subchapters 5, 6, 7 or 8 of this Chapter.
(Source: P.A. 86-1005.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1204e

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1204e) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1204e)
    Sec. 18c-1204e. Communications with the Office of Chairman and Commissioners. (1) The chairman, members and executive director shall jointly adopt and adhere to written procedures concerning communication with staff of the Transportation Division to insure that:
    (a) Communications from the members or staff of the office of chairman and commissioners which do not require substantial work from staff shall be transmitted to the manager of the Transportation Division; and
    (b) Communications from the members or staff of the office of chairman and commissioners which do require substantial work from staff shall be transmitted to the executive director.
    (2) The executive director shall establish written procedures, which staff other than staff of the office of chairman and commissioners shall adhere to, in regard to communications of such staff to the chairman, members or staff of the office of chairman and commissioners.
(Source: P.A. 86-1005.)

625 ILCS 5/18c-1205

    (625 ILCS 5/18c-1205) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-1205)
    Sec. 18c-1205. Qualifications of Transportation Compliance Program Staff.
    (1) General provisions. The manager of the Transportation Division shall establish and adhere to written professional standards and procedures for the employment, education and training, performance and dismissal of all nonclerical compliance program personnel. Such standards and procedures shall include:
        (a) Merit standards and procedures, and education
    
requirements, applicable to State troopers, and training requirements at least equivalent to that received from a police training school approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, together with such additional qualifications as are needed under this Chapter, for all nonclerical field operations personnel;
        (b) Successful completion of an accredited accounting
    
or transportation-related education program, or at least 4 years experience in motor carrier rate analysis or auditing, plus such additional qualifications as are needed under this Chapter, for all nonclerical rate auditing personnel; and
        (c) Successful completion of an accredited legal or
    
paralegal education program, or equivalent administrative law experience, plus such additional qualifications as are needed under this Chapter, for all nonclerical civil penalties program personnel.
    (2) Merit Selection Committee. Standards and procedures under this Section for police shall include the establishment of one or more merit selection committees, each composed of one Commission employee and no fewer than 3, nor more than 5, persons who are not employed by the Commission, each of whom shall from time to time be designated by the division manager, subject to the approval of the Commission. The division manager shall submit a list of candidates to the committee or subcommittee thereof for its consideration. The committee or subcommittee thereof shall interview each candidate on the list and rate those interviewed as "most qualified", "qualified", or "not qualified". The committee shall recommend candidates rated "most qualified" and "qualified" to the division manager. In filling positions to which this Section applies, the division manager shall first offer the position to persons rated "most qualified". If all persons rated "most qualified" have been offered the position and each failed to accept the offer within the time specified by the division manager in the offer, the position may be offered to a person rated "qualified". Only persons rated "most qualified" or "qualified" shall be offered positions within the Compliance Program.
    (3) The Commission shall authorize to each employee of the Commission exercising the powers of a peace officer a distinct badge that, on its face, (i) clearly states the badge is authorized by the Commission and (ii) contains a unique identifying number. No other badge shall be authorized by the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 91-883, eff. 1-1-01.)