A. Creation And Qualifications: The position of administrative hearing officer is hereby created. The administrative hearing officer shall be appointed by the mayor with the consent of the city council. The term of the administrative hearing officer shall be one year. The number of administrative hearing officer positions and compensation shall be approved by the city council. The administrative hearing officer shall be an attorney admitted to the practice of law in the state of Illinois with at least three (3) years of active practice experience. Prior to conducting administrative hearings, administrative hearing officers shall have successfully completed a formal training program as set forth in 65 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/1-2.1-4(c).
B. Powers: The administrative hearing officer shall have all powers necessary to conduct fair and impartial hearings including, but not limited to, the power to:
1. Hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues;
2. Administer oaths and affirmations;
3. Hear testimony;
4. Issue subpoenas;
5. Rule upon motions, objections, and the admissibility of evidence;
6. At the request of any party or on the administrative hearing officer's own motion, subpoena the attendance of relevant witnesses and the production of relevant books, records, or other information;
7. Preserve and authenticate the record of the hearing and all exhibits and evidence introduced at the hearing;
8. Regulate the course of the hearing in accordance with this chapter, or other applicable law;
9. Issue a final order which includes findings of fact and conclusions of law;
10. Impose penalties and fines, per violation per day to a maximum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) exclusive of costs as set forth in section 1-16-2 of this chapter, issue orders that are consistent with applicable code provisions and assess costs upon finding a party liable for the charged violation. In no event shall an administrative hearing officer have the authority to impose a penalty of imprisonment. (Ord. M-5-09, 2-2-2009)