(820 ILCS 219/100)

Sec. 100. Hearing.

(a) If a public employer or the employer's representative notifies the Director that the employer intends to contest a citation and notice of penalty or if, within 15 business days after the issuance of the citation, an employee or representative of employees files a notice with the Director alleging that the period of time fixed in the citation for the abatement of the violation is unreasonable, the Director shall afford an opportunity for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge designated by the Director.

(b) At the hearing, the employer or employee shall state his or her objections to the citation and provide evidence why the citation should not stand as issued. The Director or his or her representative shall be given the opportunity to state his or her reasons for issuing the citation. Affected employees shall be provided an opportunity to participate as parties to hearings under the rules of procedure prescribed by the Director (56 Ill. Adm. Code Part 120).

(c) The Director, or the Administrative Law Judge on behalf of the Director, has the power to do the following:

(1) Issue subpoenas for and compel the attendance of witnesses.

(2) Hear testimony and receive evidence.

(3) Order testimony of a witness residing within or without this State to be taken by deposition in the manner prescribed by law for depositions in civil cases in the circuit court in any proceeding pending before him or her at any stage of such proceeding.

(d) Subpoenas and commissions to take testimony shall be issued by the Director. Service of subpoenas may be made by a sheriff or any other person.

(e) The circuit court for the county where any hearing is pending may compel the attendance of witnesses, the production of pertinent books, papers, records, or documents, and the giving of testimony before the Director or an Administrative Law Judge by an attachment proceeding, as for contempt, in the same manner as the production of evidence may be compelled before the court.

(f) The Administrative Law Judge on behalf of the Director, after considering the evidence presented at the formal hearing, in accordance with the Director's rules, shall enter a final decision and order within a reasonable time affirming, modifying, or vacating the citation or proposed assessment of a civil penalty, or directing other appropriate relief.

(Source: P.A. 102-705, eff. 1-1-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)