(625 ILCS 5/18c‑1104) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c‑1104)
Sec. 18c‑1104. Definitions. The following terms, when used in this Chapter, have the hereinafter designated meanings unless their context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) "Broker" means any person other than a motor carrier of property, that arranges, offers to arrange, or holds itself out, by solicitation, advertisement, or otherwise, as arranging or offering to arrange for‑hire transportation of property or other service in connection therewith by a motor carrier of property which holds or is required to hold a license issued by the Commission.
(2) "Carrier" means any motor carrier or rail carrier other than a private carrier.
(3) "Certificate" means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under this Chapter to common carriers of household goods.
(4) "Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission.
(5) "Commission regulations and orders" means rules and regulations adopted and orders or decisions issued by the Commission pursuant to this Chapter; any certificate, permit, broker's license or other license or registration issued pursuant to such rules, regulations, orders and decisions; and all terms, conditions, or limitations thereof.
(6) (Blank).
(7) (Blank).
(8) (Blank).
(9) "Discrimination" means undue discrimination in the context of the particular mode of transportation involved.
(10) "Farm crossing" means a crossing used for agricultural and livestock purposes only.
(11) "For‑hire" means for compensation or hire, regardless of the form of compensation and whether compensation is direct or indirect.
(12) "Freight forwarder" means any person other than a motor carrier, rail carrier, or common carrier by pipeline which holds itself out as a common carrier to provide transportation of property, for compensation or hire, which, in the rendition of its services:
(a) Undertakes responsibility for the consolidation |
| (where applicable), transportation, break‑bulk (where applicable), and distribution of such property from the point of receipt to the point of delivery; and | |
(b) Utilizes, for the transportation of such |
| property, the services of one or more motor carriers or rail carriers. | |
(13) "Hazardous material" means any substance or material in a quantity and form determined by the federal Office of Hazardous Materials and the Federal Railroad Administration to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when transported in commerce.
(13.1) "Household goods" means:
(A) Personal effects and property used or to be used |
| in a dwelling when a part of the equipment or supply of such dwelling; except that this subdivision (13.1) shall not be construed to include property moving from a factory or store, except such property as the householder has purchased with intent to use in his or her dwelling and that is transported at the request of, and the transportation charges paid to the carrier by, the householder; | |
(B) Furniture, fixtures, equipment, and the property |
| of stores, offices, museums, institutions, hospitals, or other establishments, when a part of the stock, equipment, or supply of such stores, offices, museums, institutions, hospitals, or other establishments; except that this subdivision (13.1) shall not be construed to include the stock‑in‑trade of any establishment, whether consignor or consignee, other than used furniture and used fixtures, except when transported as an incident to the moving of the establishment, or a portion thereof, from one location to another; and | |
(C) Articles, including, but not limited to, objects |
| of art, displays, and exhibits, which, because of their unusual nature or value, require the specialized handling and equipment usually employed in moving household goods; except that this subdivision (13.1) shall not be construed to include any article, whether crated or uncrated, that does not, because of its unusual nature or value, require the specialized handling and equipment usually employed in moving household goods. | |
(13.2) "Household goods carrier" means a motor carrier of property authorized to transport household goods.
(13.3) "Household goods common carrier" means any household goods carrier engaged in transportation for the general public over regular or irregular routes. Household goods common carriers may also be referred to as "common carriers of household goods".
(13.4) "Household goods contract carrier" means any household goods carrier engaged in transportation under contract with a limited number of shippers (that shall not be freight forwarders, shippers' agents or brokers) that either (a) assigns motor vehicles for a continuing period of time to the exclusive use of the shipper or shippers served, or (b) furnishes transportation service designed to meet the distinct need of the shipper or shippers served. Household goods contract carriers may also be referred to as "contract carriers of household goods".
(14) "Interstate carrier" means any person engaged in the for‑hire transportation of persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce in this State, whether or not such transportation is pursuant to authority issued to it by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
(15) "Intrastate carrier" means any person engaged in the for‑hire transportation of persons or property in intrastate commerce in this State.
(16) "Interstate commerce" means commerce between a point in the State of Illinois and a point outside the State of Illinois, or between points outside the State of Illinois when such commerce moves through Illinois, or between points in Illinois moving through another state in a bona fide operation that is either exempt from federal regulation or moves under a certificate or permit issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission authorizing interstate transportation, whether such commerce moves wholly by motor vehicle or partly by motor vehicle and partly by any other regulated means of transportation where the commodity does not come to rest or change its identity during the movement, and includes commerce originating or terminating in a foreign country moving through the State of Illinois.
(17) "Intrastate commerce" means commerce moving wholly between points within the State of Illinois, whether such commerce moves wholly by one transportation mode or partly by one mode and partly by any other mode of transportation.
(18) "License" means any certificate, permit, broker's license, or other license issued under this Chapter. For purposes of Article III of Sub‑chapter 4 of this Chapter, "license" does not include a "public carrier certificate".
(19) "Motor carrier" means any person engaged in the transportation of property or passengers, or both, for hire, over the public roads of this State, by motor vehicle. Motor carriers engaged in the transportation of property are referred to as "motor carriers of property"; motor carriers engaged in the transportation of passengers are referred to as "motor carriers of passengers" or "bus companies".
(20) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle, truck, trucktractor, trailer or semitrailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used upon the highways of the State in the transportation of property or passengers.
(21) "Non‑relocation towing" means the:
(a) For‑hire transportation of vehicles by use of |
| wrecker or towing equipment, other than the removal of trespassing vehicles from private property subject to the provisions of Chapter 18a of this Code, and other than transportation exempted by Section 18c‑4102; and | |
(b) For‑hire towing of wheeled property other than |
|
(22) "Notice" means with regard to all proceedings except enforcement proceedings instituted on the motion of the Commission, and except for interstate motor carrier registrations, public notice by publication in the official state newspaper, unless otherwise provided in this Chapter.
(23) "Official state newspaper" means the newspaper designated and certified to the Commission annually by the Director of Central Management Services of the State of Illinois, or, if said Director fails to certify to the Commission the name and address of the official newspaper selected by the Director prior to expiration of the previous certification, the newspaper designated in the most recent certification.
(24) "Party" means any person admitted as a party to a Commission proceeding or seeking and entitled as a matter of right to admission as a party to a Commission proceeding.
(25) "Permit" means a permit issued under this Chapter to contract carriers of property by motor vehicle.
(26) "Person" means any natural person or legal entity, whether such entity is a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association, or other entity, and, where a provision concerns the acts or omissions of a person, includes the partners, officers, employees, and agents of the person, as well as any trustees, assignees, receivers, or personal representatives of the person.
(27) "Private carrier by motor vehicle" means any person engaged in the transportation of property or passengers by motor vehicle other than for hire, whether the person is the owner, lessee or bailee of the lading or otherwise, when the transportation is for the purpose of sale, lease, or bailment and in furtherance of the person's primary business, other than transportation. "Private carriers by motor vehicle" may be referred to as "private carriers". Ownership, lease or bailment of the lading is not sufficient proof of a private carrier operation if the carrier is, in fact, engaged in the transportation of property for‑hire.
(27.1) "Public carrier" means a motor carrier of property, other than a household goods carrier.
(27.2) "Public carrier certificate" means a certificate issued to a motor carrier to transport property, other than household goods, in intrastate commerce. The issuance of a public carrier certificate shall not be subject to the provisions of Article I of Sub‑chapter 2 of this Chapter.
(28) "Public convenience and necessity" shall be construed to have the same meaning under this Chapter as it was construed by the courts to have under the Illinois Motor Carrier of Property Law, with respect to motor carriers of property, and the Public Utilities Act with respect to motor carriers of passengers and rail carriers.
(29) "Public interest" shall be construed to have the same meaning under this Chapter as it was construed by the courts to have under the Illinois Motor Carrier of Property Law.
(30) "Rail carrier" means any person engaged in the transportation of property or passengers for hire by railroad, together with all employees or agents of such person or entity, and all property used, controlled, or owned by such person or entity.
(31) "Railroad" means track and associated structures, including bridges, tunnels, switches, spurs, terminals and other facilities, and equipment, including engines, freight cars, passenger cars, cabooses, and other equipment, used in the transportation of property or passengers by rail.
(32) "Rail yard" means a system of parallel tracks, cross‑overs and switches where cars are switched and made up into trains, and where cars, locomotives, and other rolling stock are kept when not in use or awaiting repairs. A "rail yard" may also be referred to as a "yard".
(33) "Rate" means every individual or joint rate, fare, toll, or charge of any carrier or carriers, any provisions relating to application thereof, and any tariff or schedule containing rates and provisions. The term "tariff" refers to a publication or document containing motor common carrier rates and provisions or rates and provisions applicable via rail carrier under contracts established pursuant to 49 U.S. Code 10713. The term "schedule" refers to a publication or document containing motor contract carrier rates and provisions.
(34) "Registration" means a registration issued to an interstate carrier.
(35) "Shipper" means the consignor or consignee.
(36) "Terminal area" means, in addition to the area within the corporate boundary of an incorporated city, village, municipality, or community center, the area (whether incorporated or unincorporated) within 10 air miles of the corporate limits of the base city, village, municipality, or community center, including all of any city, village or municipality which lies within such area.
(37) "Transfer" means the sale, lease, consolidation, merger, acquisition or change of control, or other transfer of a license, in whole or in part.
(38) "Transportation" means the actual movement of property or passengers by motor vehicle (without regard to ownership of vehicles or equipment used in providing transportation service) or rail together with loading, unloading, and any other accessorial or ancillary service provided by the carrier in connection with movement by motor vehicle or rail, which is performed by or on behalf of the carriers, its employees or agents, or under the authority or direction of the carrier or under the apparent authority or direction and with the knowledge of the carrier. Transportation of property by motor vehicle includes driveaway or towaway delivery service.
(39) "Towing" means the pushing, towing, or drawing of wheeled property by means of a crane, hoist, towbar, towline, or auxiliary axle.
(40) "Wrecker or towing equipment" means tow trucks or auxiliary axles, when used in relation to towing accidentally wrecked or disabled vehicles; and roll‑back carriers or trailers, when used in relation to transporting accidentally wrecked or disabled vehicles. Wrecker or towing equipment does not include car carriers or trailers other than roll‑back car carriers or trailers.
(Source: P.A. 89‑42, eff. 1‑1‑96; 89‑444, eff. 1‑25‑96; 90‑14, eff. 7‑1‑97.) |
(625 ILCS 5/18c‑1204) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c‑1204)
Sec. 18c‑1204. Transportation Division.
(1) Establishment. There shall be established within the staff of the Commission a Transportation Division in which primary staff responsibility for the administration and enforcement of this Chapter and Chapter 18a shall be vested. The Transportation Division shall be headed by a division manager responsible to the executive director.
(2) Structure. The Transportation Division shall consist of 4 programs and 2 offices. The 4 programs shall be Compliance, Review and Examination, Docketing and Processing, and Rail Safety. Each program shall be headed by a program director and responsible to the division manager, except that in the Compliance Program the 3 staff supervisors shall each be responsible to the division manager. The 2 offices shall be the Office of Transportation Counsel and the Office of the Division Manager. The Office of Transportation Counsel shall be headed by a Chief Counsel responsible to the Division Manager. The Division Manager shall coordinate the activities and responsibilities of the Office of Transportation Counsel with the executive director and the personal assistant serving as staff counsel to the executive director in the office of the executive director, and with the Commission.
(a) The Compliance Program.
(i) The Compliance Program shall consist of a |
| police staff, a rate auditing staff, and a civil penalties staff. These staffs shall be headed by a Chief of Police, a Supervisor of Tariffs and Audits, and a Supervisor of Civil Penalties, respectively. | |
(ii) The police staff shall be divided into |
| districts with a field office in each district. Each district shall be headed by a working supervisor responsible to the Chief of Police. All staff responsibility for enforcement of this Chapter, except with regard to rail safety, shall be vested in the Compliance Program. | |
(b) The Review and Examination Program.
(i) Staff responsibility for review of all |
| nonhearing matters under this Chapter and Chapter 18a and examination of all matters assigned for hearing under this Chapter and Chapter 18a shall be vested in the Review and Examination Program, except as otherwise provided in Section 18c‑1204b. | |
(ii) Hearing examiners in the program shall have |
| responsibility for developing a full, complete and impartial record on all issues to be decided in a proceeding; recommending disposition of the issues or making an initial decision on them, as provided in this Chapter; and setting forth in writing the basis for their recommendations or initial decisions. The program director shall be the chief hearing examiner for matters under this Chapter and Chapter 18a with responsibility to insure consistency of recommendations and initial decisions. | |
(c) The Processing and Docketing Program. All staff |
| responsibility for docketing and processing filings, accounting of receipts and expenditures, issuing, file maintenance and other processing functions under this Chapter and Chapter 18a shall be vested in the Processing Program. | |
(d) The Rail Safety Program. Staff responsibility |
| for administration and enforcement of the rail safety provisions of this Chapter shall be vested in the Rail Safety Program. | |
(e) The Office of Transportation Counsel.
(i) All Commission staff responsibility for |
| provision of legal services in connection with any matter under this Chapter, excepting any matter under subchapters 7 and 8 of this Chapter, or in connection with any matter under Chapter 18a shall, except with regard to functions vested in the review and examination program under paragraph (b) of this subsection, be vested exclusively in the Office of Transportation Counsel. | |
(ii) The Office of Transportation Counsel shall, |
| when directed through the division manager to do so, represent the Commission or Commission staff in administrative or judicial proceedings and render staff advisory opinions to the executive director and the Commission. | |
(f) Levels of Administration. No additional levels |
| of administration, supervision or authority shall be superimposed, or remain superimposed, between levels prescribed under this Section, and no organizational units may be created within the Transportation Division except as prescribed under this Section. | |
(3) Additional Functions. Staff functions relating to rulemaking, policy recommendations and advisory committees under this Chapter and Chapter 18a shall be vested in the Transportation Division.
The staff shall prepare and distribute to the General Assembly, in April of each year, a report on railway accidents in Illinois which involve hazardous materials. The report shall include the location, substance involved, amounts involved, and the suspected reason for each accident. The report shall also reveal the rail line and point of origin of the hazardous material involved in each accident.
(Source: P.A. 88‑415.) |
(625 ILCS 5/18c‑1205) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c‑1205)
Sec. 18c‑1205. Qualifications of Transportation Compliance Program Staff.
(1) General provisions. The manager of the Transportation Division shall establish and adhere to written professional standards and procedures for the employment, education and training, performance and dismissal of all nonclerical compliance program personnel. Such standards and procedures shall include:
(a) Merit standards and procedures, and education |
| requirements, applicable to State troopers, and training requirements at least equivalent to that received from a police training school approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, together with such additional qualifications as are needed under this Chapter, for all nonclerical field operations personnel; | |
(b) Successful completion of an accredited |
| accounting or transportation‑related education program, or at least 4 years experience in motor carrier rate analysis or auditing, plus such additional qualifications as are needed under this Chapter, for all nonclerical rate auditing personnel; and | |
(c) Successful completion of an accredited legal or |
| paralegal education program, or equivalent administrative law experience, plus such additional qualifications as are needed under this Chapter, for all nonclerical civil penalties program personnel. | |
(2) Merit Selection Committee. Standards and procedures under this Section for police shall include the establishment of one or more merit selection committees, each composed of one Commission employee and no fewer than 3, nor more than 5, persons who are not employed by the Commission, each of whom shall from time to time be designated by the division manager, subject to the approval of the Commission. The division manager shall submit a list of candidates to the committee or subcommittee thereof for its consideration. The committee or subcommittee thereof shall interview each candidate on the list and rate those interviewed as "most qualified", "qualified", or "not qualified". The committee shall recommend candidates rated "most qualified" and "qualified" to the division manager. In filling positions to which this Section applies, the division manager shall first offer the position to persons rated "most qualified". If all persons rated "most qualified" have been offered the position and each failed to accept the offer within the time specified by the division manager in the offer, the position may be offered to a person rated "qualified". Only persons rated "most qualified" or "qualified" shall be offered positions within the Compliance Program.
(3) The Commission shall authorize to each employee of the Commission exercising the powers of a peace officer a distinct badge that, on its face, (i) clearly states the badge is authorized by the Commission and (ii) contains a unique identifying number. No other badge shall be authorized by the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 91‑357, eff. 7‑29‑99; 91‑883, eff. 1‑1‑01.) |
(625 ILCS 5/18c‑1501) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c‑1501)
Sec. 18c‑1501. Franchise, Franchise Renewal, Filing and Other Fees for Motor Carriers of Property.
(1) Franchise, Franchise Renewal, Filing, and Other Fee Levels in Effect Absent Commission Regulations Prescribing Different Fee Levels. The levels of franchise, franchise renewal, filing, and other fees for motor carriers of property in effect, absent Commission regulations prescribing different fee levels, shall be:
(a) Franchise and franchise renewal fees: $19 for |
| each motor vehicle operated by a motor carrier of property in intrastate commerce, and $2 for each motor vehicle operated by a motor carrier of property in interstate commerce. | |
(b) Filing fees: $100 for each application seeking |
| a Commission license or other authority, the reinstatement of a cancelled license or authority, or authority to establish a rate, other than by special permission, excluding both released rate applications and rate filings which may be investigated or suspended but which require no prior authorization for filing; $25 for each released rate application and each application to register as an interstate carrier; $15 for each application seeking special permission in regard to rates; and $15 for each equipment lease. | |
(2) Adjustment of Fee Levels. The Commission may, by rulemaking in accordance with provisions of The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, adjust franchise, franchise renewal, filing, and other fees for motor carriers of property by increasing or decreasing them from levels in effect absent Commission regulations prescribing different fee levels. Franchise and franchise renewal fees prescribed by the Commission for motor carriers of property shall not exceed:
(a) $50 for each motor vehicle operated by a |
| household goods carrier in intrastate commerce; | |
(a‑5) $15 for each motor vehicle operated by a |
| public carrier in intrastate commerce; and | |
(b) $7 for each motor vehicle operated by a motor |
| carrier of property in interstate commerce. | |
(3) Late‑Filing Fees.
(a) Commission to Prescribe Late‑Filing Fees. The |
| Commission may prescribe fees for the late filing of proof of insurance, operating reports, franchise or franchise renewal fee applications, or other documents required to be filed on a periodic basis with the Commission. | |
(b) Late‑filing Fees to Accrue Automatically. |
| Late‑filing fees shall accrue automatically from the filing deadline set forth in Commission regulations, and all persons or entities required to make such filings shall be on notice of such deadlines. | |
(c) Maximum Fees. Late‑filing fees prescribed by the |
| Commission shall not exceed $100 for an initial period, plus $10 for each day after the expiration of the initial period. The Commission may provide for waiver of all or part of late‑filing fees accrued under this subsection on a showing of good cause. | |
(d) Effect of Failure to Make Timely Filings and Pay |
| Late‑Filing Fees. Failure of a person to file proof of continuous insurance coverage or to make other periodic filings required under Commission regulations shall make licenses and registrations held by the person subject to revocation or suspension. The licenses or registrations cannot thereafter be returned to good standing until after payment of all late‑filing fees accrued and not waived under this subsection. | |
(4) Payment of Fees.
(a) Franchise and Franchise Renewal Fees. Franchise |
| and franchise renewal fees for motor carriers of property shall be due and payable on or before the 31st day of December of the calendar year preceding the calendar year for which the fees are owing, unless otherwise provided in Commission regulations. | |
(b) Filing and Other Fees. Filing and other fees |
| (including late‑filing fees) shall be due and payable on the date of filing, or on such other date as is set forth in Commission regulations. | |
(5) When Fees Returnable.
(a) Whenever an application to the Illinois Commerce |
| Commission is accompanied by any fee as required by law and such application is refused or rejected, said fee shall be returned to said applicant. | |
(b) The Illinois Commerce Commission may reduce by |
| interlineation the amount of any personal check or corporate check or company check drawn on the account of and delivered by any person for payment of a fee required by the Illinois Commerce Commission. | |
(c) Any check altered pursuant to above shall be |
| endorsed by the Illinois Commerce Commission as follows: "This check is warranted to subsequent holders and to the drawee to be in the amount $ ." | |
(d) All applications to the Illinois Commerce |
| Commission requiring fee payment upon reprinting shall contain the following authorization statement: "My signature authorizes the Illinois Commerce Commission to lower the amount of check if fee submitted exceeds correct amount." | |
(Source: P.A. 93‑32, eff. 7‑1‑03.) |
(625 ILCS 5/18c‑1603)
(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c‑1603)
Sec. 18c‑1603.
Expenditures from the Transportation Regulatory Fund.
(1) Authorization of Expenditures from the Fund. Monies deposited in the Transportation Regulatory Fund shall be expended only for the administration and enforcement of this Chapter and Chapter 18a. Moneys in the Fund may also be used to administer the Personal Property Storage Act.
(2) Allocation of Expenses to the Fund.
(a) Expenses Allocated Entirely to the Transportation
| Regulatory Fund. All expenses of the Transportation Division shall be allocated to the Transportation Regulatory Fund, provided that they were: | |
(i) Incurred by and for staff employed within the |
| Transportation Division and accountable, directly or through a program director or staff supervisor, to the Transportation Division manager; | |
(ii) Incurred exclusively in the administration |
| and enforcement of this Chapter and Chapter 18a; and | |
(iii) Authorized by the Transportation Division |
|
(b) Expenses Partially Allocated to the |
| Transportation Regulatory Fund. A portion of expenses for the following persons and activities may be allocated to the Transportation Regulatory Fund: | |
(i) The Executive Director, his deputies and |
| personal assistants, and their clerical support; | |
(ii) The legislative liaison activities of the |
| Office of Legislative Affairs, its constituent elements and successors; | |
(iii) The activities of the Bureau of Planning |
| and Operations on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, exclusive of the Chief Clerk's office; | |
(iv) The payroll expenses of Commissioners' |
|
(v) The internal auditor;
(vi) The in‑state travel expenses of the |
| Commissioners to and from the offices of the Commission; and | |
(vii) The Public Affairs Group, its constituent |
| elements, and its successors. | |
(c) Allocation Methodology for Expenses Other Than |
| Commissioners' Assistants. The portion of total expenses (other than commissioners' assistants' expenses) allocated to the Transportation Regulatory Fund under paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be the portion of staff time spent exclusively on administration and enforcement of this Chapter and Chapter 18a, as shown by a time study updated at least once each 6 months. | |
(d) (Blank).
(e) Allocation methodology for Commissioners' |
| Assistants Expenses. Five percent of the payroll expenses of commissioners' assistants may be allocated to the Transportation Regulatory Fund. | |
(f) Expenses not allocable to the Transportation |
| Regulatory Fund. No expenses shall be allocated to or paid from the Transportation Regulatory Fund except as expressly authorized in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this subsection. In particular, no expenses shall be allocated to the Fund which were incurred by or in relation to the following persons and activities: | |
(i) Commissioners' travel, except as otherwise |
| provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection; | |
(ii) Commissioners' assistants except as |
| otherwise provided in paragraphs (b) and (e) of this subsection; | |
(iii) The Policy Analysis and Research Division, |
| its constituent elements and successors; | |
(iv) The Chief Clerk's office, its constituent |
|
(v) The Hearing Examiners Division, its |
| constituent elements and successors, and any hearing examiners or hearings conducted, in whole or in part, outside the Transportation Division; | |
(vi) (Blank);
(vii) The Office of General Counsel, its |
| constituent elements and successors, including but not limited to the Office of Public Utility Counsel and any legal staff in the office of the executive director, but not including the personal assistant serving as staff counsel to the executive director as provided in Section 18c‑1204(2) and the Office of Transportation Counsel; and | |
(viii) Any other expenses or portion thereof not |
| expressly authorized in this subsection to be allocated to the Fund. | |
The constituent elements of the foregoing shall, for |
| purposes of this Section be their constituent elements on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1987. | |
(3) (Blank).
(4) (Blank).
(Source: P.A. 96‑515, eff. 1‑1‑10.) |
(625 ILCS 5/18c‑1704) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c‑1704)
Sec. 18c‑1704. Sanctions. Each violation of this Chapter shall subject the violator to the following sanctions, except as otherwise provided elsewhere in this Chapter. Sanctions provided for in this Section may be imposed by the Commission only in compliance with the notice and hearing requirements of Section 18c‑2102 of this Chapter.
(1) Criminal Misdemeanor Penalties. Each violation of this Chapter shall constitute a Class C misdemeanor.
(2) Civil Penalties. The Commission may assess, against any person found by it to have violated this Chapter, a civil penalty not greater than $1,000 nor less than $100 per violation. The penalty assessed by the Commission shall reflect the number and severity of violations found to have been committed. Penalties assessed by the Commission shall be enforced by any court having venue in enforcement cases under this Chapter.
(3) Cease and Desist Orders. The Commission may, where a person is found after hearing to have violated this Chapter, Commission regulations or orders, and justice requires, order the person to cease and desist from further or from any future violations. A cease and desist order may be entered on the Commission's own motion or by agreement between the parties. Orders and agreements under this Section shall be valid and enforceable for the period stated therein, not to exceed 2 years from the date the order or agreement is approved by the Commission, unless the parties stipulate otherwise. Such orders and agreements shall be enforceable in any court of this State having venue and jurisdiction in enforcement actions under this Chapter. Failure to comply with a Commission cease and desist order shall constitute a violation of this Chapter separate and apart from any underlying violations.
(4) Stipulated Settlements.
(a) General Provisions. The Commission may accept a |
| reasonable monetary settlement, suspension or revocation of a license or registration, or any other reasonable terms stipulated between the respondent and staff, with or without a finding of violations. | |
(b) Presumption of Reasonableness. Such stipulations |
| shall be presumed reasonable. Unless the terms of a stipulation exceed such parameters as the Commission may establish, this presumption is rebuttable only by evidence of record at hearing. | |
(c) Parameters. Parameters for settlement shall be |
| based on type of violation; severity, as measured by revenues from unlawful activities; and number of violations. Minimum settlement amounts may be established. | |
(d) Orders. Orders suspending proposed settlements |
| shall cite reasons for suspension which are specific to the case. Orders rejecting proposed settlements shall recite the grounds on which the settlements are found to be unreasonable and describe the evidence which supports such findings. | |
(5) Injunctive Relief. Any court with jurisdiction and venue for purposes of enforcing this Chapter shall have the power to enjoin any person from committing violations of this Chapter. Suit for penalties shall not be a prerequisite to injunctive relief. No bond shall be required when injunctive relief is granted at the request of the Commission.
(6) Suspension or Revocation of Licenses and Registrations.
(a) Availability of Suspension and Revocation as |
| Sanctions. Violation of this Chapter by a motor carrier of property or passengers shall, in addition to other sanctions provided herein, subject the violator to suspension or revocation of any or all Commission licenses and registrations. The Commission may impose the sanctions of suspension and revocation. Where the violation is failure of a motor carrier of property or passengers to have in effect and file proof of continuous insurance coverage in accordance with this Chapter, Commission regulations and orders, the license or registration or both may be suspended by telephonic or telegraphic directive, confirmed by certified or registered mail or personal service, pending final disposition of revocation proceedings. | |
(b) Suspension Pending Adjudication. Where the |
| violation is failure of a motor carrier of property to pay a franchise or franchise renewal fee, the license or registration or both may be suspended by certified or registered mail or personally served directive, pending final disposition of revocation proceedings. | |
(c) Special Revocation Procedures.
(i) Notice. The Commission shall serve notice |
| upon all persons who have failed to pay a franchise tax, license fee, or penalty required under the Business Corporation Act of 1983, or who have failed to comply with this Chapter, Commission regulations and orders, regarding the filing of proof of continuous insurance or bond coverage, the payment of periodic fees, the filing of periodic reports, the payment of civil penalties, or the filing of rates to the full extent of a carrier's authority. The notice shall advise such person of the apparent violations and state that, unless the Commission receives a written request for hearing or extension of time within 30 days from the date the notice is served, the person's license or registration will be revoked by operation of law without further action by the Commission. | |
(ii) Extensions of Time. The Commission may |
| grant one extension of time not exceeding 60 days where the extension will not endanger the public. | |
(iii) Request for Hearing. If a timely written |
| request for hearing is received, no further action shall be taken until the requirements of Section 18c‑2102 of this Chapter have been satisfied. | |
(iv) Revocation by Operation of Law. If, at the |
| expiration of the applicable time period, the person has not complied with the pertinent requirements, and a written request for hearing has not been received, the person will be deemed to have waived hearing and the license or registration shall be revoked by operation of law without further action by the Commission as if the Commission has served an order on the date following expiration revoking the license or registration. | |
(7) Probation. The Commission may probate the imposition of any of the sanctions set forth in this Section.
(Source: P.A. 88‑415.) |