220 ILCS 5/10-101
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article X - Proceedings Before The Commission And The Courts

 (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 10-101)Sec. 10-101.   The Commission, or any commissioner or administrative law judge   designated by the Commission, shall have power to hold investigations,  inquiries and hearings concerning any matters covered by the provisions  of this Act, or by any other Acts relating to public utilities subject  to such rules and regulations as the Commission may establish.  In the  conduct of any investigation, inquiry or hearing the provisions of the  Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, including but not limited to Sections  10-25 and 10-35 of that Act, shall be applicable and the  Commission's rules shall be consistent therewith.  Complaint cases initiated  pursuant to any Section of this Act, investigative proceedings and  ratemaking  cases shall be considered "contested cases" as defined in Section 1-30 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, any contrary provision  therein notwithstanding.  Any proceeding intended to lead to the establishment  of policies, practices, rules or programs applicable to more than  one utility may, in the Commission's discretion, be conducted pursuant to  either rulemaking or contested case provisions, provided such choice is clearly  indicated at the beginning of such proceeding and subsequently adhered to.  No  violation of this Section or the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and no  informality in any proceeding or in the manner of taking testimony before the  Commission, any commissioner or administrative law judge of the Commission shall  invalidate any order, decision, rule or regulation made, approved, or confirmed  by the Commission in the absence of prejudice.  All hearings conducted by the  Commission shall be open to the public.Each commissioner and every administrative law judge of the Commission designated by  it to hold any inquiry, investigation or hearing, shall have the power to  administer oaths and affirmations, certify to all official acts, issue  subpoenas, compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses, and the production  of papers, books, accounts and documents.Hearings shall be held either by the Commission or by one or more  commissioners or administrative law judges.When any attorney who is not admitted to the practice of law in Illinois by unlimited or conditional admission, but who is licensed in another state,  territory, or commonwealth of the United States, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country may desire to appear before the Commission, such  attorney shall be allowed to appear before the Commission as provided in Supreme Court Rule 707.All evidence presented at hearings held by the Commission or under its  authority shall become a part of the records of the Commission.  In all cases  in which the Commission bases any action on reports of investigation or  inquiries not conducted as hearings, such reports shall be made a part of the  records of the Commission. All proceedings of the Commission and all documents  and records in its possession shall be public records, except as in this Act  otherwise provided.To the extent consistent with this Section and the Illinois Administrative  Procedure Act, the Commission may adopt reasonable and proper rules and  regulations relative to the exercise of its powers, and proper rules to govern  its proceedings, and regulate the mode and manner of all investigations and  hearings, and alter and amend the same.  (Source: P.A. 100-840, eff. 8-13-18.)