Section 200.500  Authority of Hearing Examiner

The Hearing Examiner shall have authority over the conduct of a proceeding and the responsibility for submission of the matter to the Commission for decision.  The Hearing Examiner shall have those duties and powers necessary to these ends, consistent with applicable statutes and Commission rules and policies, including the following:

a)         To administer oaths and affirmations.

b)         To order the issuance of subpoenas and to supervise discovery.

c)         To conduct hearings and prehearing conferences.

d)         To rule upon all objections, motions and petitions which do not result in the final determination of the proceeding, and to receive evidence.

e)         At any stage of the hearing or after all parties have completed the presentation of their evidence to call upon any party or the Staff of the Commission to produce further evidence which is material and relevant to any issue.

f)         To issue recommended proposed orders pursuant to Section 200.820.

g)         To ensure that hearings are conducted in a full, fair and impartial manner, that order is maintained and that unnecessary delay is avoided in the disposition of the proceedings.

h)         To issue protective orders in accordance with Section 200.430.

(Source:  Amended at 10 Ill. Reg. 10481, effective May 30, 1986)