(a) Each Administrative Law Officer appointed by the Director shall be an attorney admitted to the practice of law in the State of Illinois for at least three years.
(b) Prior to conducting any administrative adjudication proceeding, an Administrative Law Officer shall have successfully completed a formal training program, approved by the Director, which includes the following:
(1) instruction on the rules of procedure of the administrative hearings which he will conduct;
(2) orientation to each subject area of the code violations which he will adjudicate;
(3) observation of administrative hearings; and
(4) participation in hypothetical cases, including ruling on evidence and issuing final orders.
(c) An Administrative Law Officer shall hear all motions to review determinations of the Director. The Administrative Law Officer shall conduct a review hearing of the Administrative Notice of Violation. The Administrative Law Officer shall have all powers necessary to conduct fair and impartial hearings including, but not limited to, the power to:
(l) hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues;
(2) administer oaths and affirmations;
(3) hear testimony;
(4) rule upon motions, objections, and the admissibility of evidence;
(5) subject to the restrictions contained in Section 10-21-300, at the request of any party or on the Administrative Law Officer's own motion, subpoena the attendance of relevant witnesses and the production of relevant books, records, or other information;
(6) preserve and authenticate the record of the hearing and all exhibits and evidence introduced at the hearing;
(7) regulate the course of the hearing in accordance with this chapter, the rules adopted by One-Call Adjudicatory Process for the conduct of administrative hearings, or other applicable law;
(8) issue a final order which includes findings of fact and conclusions of law; and
(9) impose penalties and fines and issue orders that are consistent with applicable code provisions and assess costs upon finding a party liable for the charged violation; provided, however, that in no event shall the Administrative Law Officer have the authority to impose a fine in excess of $50,000 exclusive of costs of enforcement or costs imposed to secure compliance with this Code.
(Added Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. VI, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 9-14-21, p. 35804, § 1)