625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code.

(625 ILCS 5/18c-2104) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-2104)

Sec. 18c-2104. Rules of Evidence. The rules of evidence which apply in civil cases before the circuit courts of this State shall, except as otherwise provided herein, apply to proceedings before the Commission under this Chapter. Evidence not admissible under the rules of evidence applicable in civil courts may be admitted if it is of a type commonly relied upon by prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs. Objections must be made at hearing to preserve them on appeal. Evidence may be received orally or in writing.

(Source: P.A. 84-796.)

(625 ILCS 5/18c-2105) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-2105)

Sec. 18c-2105. Discovery. (1) Discovery Generally. Any party may utilize written interrogatories, depositions, requests for discovery or inspection of documents or property and other discovery tools commonly utilized in civil actions in the circuit courts in the State of Illinois in the manner contemplated by the Code of Civil Procedure and the Rules of the Supreme Court of Illinois; except that discovery must be completed by the 30th day after the party filed its petition for leave to intervene, unless the period of discovery is extended by agreement of the parties or by the Commission. The Chairman or a hearing examiner may, at any time, on his own motion or at the request of a party, issue such rulings denying, limiting, conditioning, or regulating discovery as justice requires, and may supervise all or part of any discovery procedure. Parties to proceedings before the Commission are encouraged to clarify and resolve issues where possible through the use of pre-hearing discovery. However, discovery order should be calculated to lessen the time and expense required to reach an informed resolution of the issues.

(2) Subpoenas. The Chairman or a hearing examiner may, for good cause, issue a subpoena directing a person to appear and testify, and to produce records, documents, or other papers, at a time and place set forth in the subpoena, in connection with a proceeding before the Commission. Service of the subpoena shall be in the same manner as a subpoena issued by a court. The Commission may, on its own motion or the motion of a person served with a subpoena, quash the subpoena, in whole or in part.

(3) Appeal from Discovery and Subpoenas. A person served with a discovery request or subpoena may appeal such interlocutory matter to the Commission. Such appeals shall set forth grounds for seeking to quash or limit the scope of the discovery or subpoena, as well as the specific relief sought, and must be filed within 10 days after service of the discovery or subpoena. If discovery is stayed by the Commission, the person served shall be excused from compliance with the discovery order or subpoena until a decision on its appeal is made by the Commission.

(4) Assessment and Payment of Discovery Costs. The Commission may assess the costs of discovery, including fees for witness attendance and travel, against the party by which discovery was requested. Where a subpoena is issued on the Commission's own motion, fees for witness attendance and travel shall be paid by the Commission on request. Witness fees shall be the same as for a circuit court proceeding. Deposits to insure payment of costs and fees may be required.

(5) Enforcement of Discovery Procedures. The Commission may, where a person has failed to comply with or permit discovery authorized hereunder, determine any or all issues within the scope of the discovery or subpoena adverse to such person without further evidence. The Commission may, in addition, assess civil penalties under Article VII of Sub-chapter 1 of this Chapter for such violator for contempt and may assess the costs of enforcement, both before the Commission and before the court, against the violator.

(Source: P.A. 84-796.)

(625 ILCS 5/18c-2106) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-2106)

Sec. 18c-2106. Standing.

(1) General Provisions. Each person with an administratively cognizable interest in a proceeding before the Commission shall, upon compliance with procedural rules adopted by the Commission for such proceedings, be entitled to appear and participate as a party to the proceeding. The Commission may, in addition, grant leave to appear and participate on such terms as it may prescribe, where to do so would assist the Commission in reaching an informed and just decision in the proceeding.

(2) Definition of Administratively Cognizable Interest. The following persons or entities shall be deemed to have an administratively cognizable interest in proceedings under this Chapter:

(a) Licensing Proceedings. A person or an entity shall be deemed to have an administratively cognizable interest in a proceeding in which an application for a new, amended, or extended intrastate license is under consideration only if:

(i) The person possesses a license authorizing all or part of the service for which authority is sought, such license is in good standing, and the person has transported or actively solicited traffic or both within the scope of the application during the 12 month period immediately preceding initiation of the proceeding;

(ii) The proceeding involves an application for a household goods carrier license and the person is an organization representing employees of a household goods carrier; or

(iii) The entity is a municipality or other political subdivision operating an airport that is a point to be served for the license under consideration.

(b) Rate Proceedings. A person shall be deemed to have an administratively cognizable interest in a proceeding in which new or amended rates are under consideration only if the person is:

(i) A carrier authorized to transport traffic such as would be subject to or affected by the rates;

(ii) A shipper or receiver of traffic such as would be subject to or affected by the rates;

(iii) An association of two or more carriers, acting at the request of and on behalf of one or more carriers authorized to transport traffic such as would be subject to or affected by the rates; or an association of two or more shippers or receivers acting at the request of and on behalf of one or more shippers or receivers of such traffic; or

(iv) An organization representing employees of a household goods carrier.

(c) Proceedings to Transfer a License. A person shall be deemed to have an administratively cognizable interest in a proceeding to transfer an intrastate license only if the person:

(i) Has an ownership interest in or control of the license which is the subject of the proceeding;

(ii) Would, if the proposed transfer is approved, acquire ownership or control of the license which is the subject of the proceeding;

(iii) Possesses a license authorizing all or part of the service authorized by the license sought to be transferred, such license is in good standing, and the person or entity has transported or actively solicited traffic within the scope of the license sought to be transported during the 12 months period immediately preceding initiation of the proceeding;

(iv) Would be directly affected by the transfer;

(v) Is an organization representing employees of a household goods carrier; or

(vi) Is a municipality or other political subdivision operating an airport that is a point to be served for the license under consideration.

(d) Complaint and Enforcement Proceedings. A person shall be deemed to have an administratively cognizable interest in a complaint proceeding if the person:

(i) Has an ownership interest in or control of the license which is the subject of the proceeding;

(ii) Would be directly and adversely affected by failure to grant relief sought in the complaint or enforcement action and such adverse effect is contrary to the purposes of this Chapter; or

(iii) Is an organization representing employees of a household goods carrier of property.

(e) All Proceedings. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (2)(a) through (2)(d) of this Section, a person shall be deemed to have an administratively cognizable interest in a proceeding other than a complaint proceeding if the person:

(i) Filed the pleading pursuant to which the proceeding was initiated; or

(ii) Is an organization representing employees of a household goods carrier.

(Source: P.A. 94-499, eff. 1-1-06.)

(625 ILCS 5/18c-2107) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-2107)

Sec. 18c-2107. Orders in household goods carrier authority proceedings.

(1) Emergency Proceedings Orders. The Commission may, on request, and upon a finding that urgent and immediate public need requires emergency temporary action, issue orders granting emergency temporary relief in household goods carrier authority proceedings. The Commission shall promptly post notice of any such request at a prominent location at the Commission offices in Springfield and Chicago, and where action affecting a specific named person is requested shall promptly notify the person by telephone or telegram. Such orders may be issued without hearing and shall remain in effect pending notice and hearing in accordance with subsection (1) of Section 18c-2101 of this Chapter, but shall not remain in effect for a period exceeding 45 days from issuance, and shall not be renewed or extended. Any person in opposition to such relief shall be entitled, on request, to an oral hearing on the request for emergency temporary relief. The filing or granting of a request for an oral hearing shall not, unless the Commission so provides, stay the issuance or effect of any emergency temporary order under this subsection.

(2) Interim orders. The Commission may, on request, issue interim orders for temporary authority in household goods carrier authority proceedings making temporary disposition of issues in a proceeding after notice and review of verified supporting statements. Such orders shall remain in effect pending final disposition in accordance with Section 18c-2101 of this Chapter unless otherwise provided in the interim order or the interim order is modified or rescinded by the Commission. Any person in opposition to such relief shall be entitled, on request, to an oral hearing on the request for temporary relief. The filing or granting of such a request for an oral hearing shall not, unless the Commission so provides, stay the issuance or effect of any interim order under this subsection. A request for oral hearing on a request for interim relief shall, unless otherwise specified by the party making the request for oral hearing, be construed as a request for oral hearing on the application for permanent relief as well.

(3) Final Orders. Final orders shall be issued in household goods carrier of property authority proceedings only after an oral hearing.

(Source: P.A. 89-444, eff. 1-25-96.)

(625 ILCS 5/18c-2108) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-2108)

Sec. 18c-2108. Orders in other than household goods carriers authority and enforcement proceedings.

(1) Emergency Orders. The Commission may, on request, and upon a finding that urgent and immediate public need requires emergency temporary action, issue orders granting emergency temporary relief in other than household goods carrier authority or enforcement cases. The Commission shall promptly post notice of any such request at a prominent location at the Commission offices in Springfield and Chicago, and where action affecting a specific named person is requested shall promptly notify the person by telephone or telegram. Such orders may be issued without hearing and shall remain in effect pending notice and hearing in accordance with subsection (1) of Section 18c-2101 of this Chapter, but shall not remain in effect for a period exceeding 45 days from issuance, and shall not be renewed or extended. Any person in opposition to such relief shall be entitled, on request, to an oral hearing on the request for emergency temporary relief. The filing or granting of such request for oral hearing shall not, unless the Commission so provides, stay the issuance or effect of any emergency temporary order under this subsection.

(2) Interim Orders. The Commission may, on request, issue interim orders making temporary disposition of issues in a proceeding, other than a household goods carrier authority or enforcement proceeding, after notice and hearing on written submissions. Such orders shall remain in effect pending final disposition in accordance with Section 18c-2102 of this Chapter unless otherwise provided in the interim order or the interim order is modified or rescinded by the Commission. Any person in opposition to such relief shall be entitled, on request, to an oral hearing on the request for temporary relief. The filing or granting of such a request for oral hearing shall not, unless the Commission so provides, stay the issuance or effect of any interim order under this subsection. A request for oral hearing on a request for temporary relief shall, unless otherwise specified by the party making the request for oral hearing, be construed as a request for oral hearing on the application for permanent relief as well.

(3) Final orders. Any party to a proceeding before the Commission shall be entitled, on timely written request, to an oral hearing prior to issuance of a final order in the proceeding. Where the Commission has issued an interim order and no timely request for oral hearing has been filed or is pending, the Commission may issue a final order without oral hearing, except in household goods carrier authority proceedings.

(4) Section not applicable to household goods carrier authority proceedings. Nothing in this Section shall have application to any household goods carrier authority proceeding.

(Source: P.A. 92-651, eff. 7-11-02.)