775 ILCS 5/8-102
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 775 - HUMAN RIGHTS|775 ILCS 5/ - Illinois Human Rights Act.|Article 8 - Illinois Human Rights Commission

 (from Ch. 68, par. 8-102)Sec. 8-102. Powers and duties. In addition to the other powers  and duties prescribed in this Act, the Commission shall have the following  powers and duties:(A) Meetings.  To meet and function at any place     within the State.(B) Offices.  To establish and maintain offices in     Springfield and Chicago.(C) Employees.  To select and fix the compensation of     such technical advisors and employees as it may deem necessary pursuant to the provisions of the Personnel Code.(D) Hearing Officers.  To select and fix the     compensation of hearing officers who shall be attorneys duly licensed to practice law in this State and full-time employees of the Commission.A formal and unbiased training program for hearing     officers shall be implemented. The training program shall include the following:(1) substantive and procedural aspects of the         hearing officer position;(2) current issues in human rights law and         practice;(3) lectures by specialists in substantive areas         related to human rights matters;(4) orientation to each operational unit of the         Department and Commission;(5) observation of experienced hearing officers         conducting hearings of cases, combined with the opportunity to discuss evidence presented and rulings made;(6) the use of hypothetical cases requiring the         hearing officer to issue judgments as a means to evaluating knowledge and writing ability;(7) writing skills;(8) computer skills, including, but not limited         to, word processing and document management.A formal, unbiased and ongoing professional     development program including, but not limited to, the above-noted areas shall be implemented to keep hearing officers informed of recent developments and issues and to assist them in maintaining and enhancing their professional competence.(E) Rules and Regulations.  To adopt, promulgate,     amend, and rescind rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.(F) Compulsory Process.  To issue and authorize     requests for enforcement of subpoenas and other compulsory process established by this Act.(G) Decisions.  Through a panel of 3 members     designated by the Chairperson on a random basis, to hear and decide by majority vote complaints filed in conformity with this Act and to approve proposed settlements. Decisions by commissioners must be based strictly on neutral interpretations of the law and the facts.(H) Rehearings.  To order, by a vote of 3 members,     rehearing of its decisions by the entire Commission in conformity with this Act.(I) Judicial Enforcement.  To authorize requests for     judicial enforcement of its orders in conformity with this Act.(J) Opinions.  To publish each decision within 180     days of the decision to assure a consistent source of precedent. Published decisions shall be subject to the Personal Information Protection Act.(K) Public Grants; Private Gifts.  To accept public     grants and private gifts as may be authorized.(L) Interpreters.  To appoint at the expense of the     Commission a qualified sign language interpreter whenever a hearing impaired person is a party or witness at a public hearing.(M) Automated Processing Plan.  To prepare an     electronic data processing and telecommunications plan jointly with the Department in accordance with Section 7-112.The provisions of Public Act 89-370 amending subsection (G)  of this Section apply to causes of action filed on or after January 1, 1996.  (Source: P.A. 100-1066, eff. 8-24-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)