(15 ILCS 410/8c) (from Ch. 15, par. 419)
    Sec. 8c. Duties and powers of the Commission. The Merit Commission, in addition to any other duties prescribed in this Act, shall have the following duties and powers:
    (1) Upon written recommendations by the Director to exempt from jurisdiction B of this Act positions which, in the judgment of the Commission, are by their nature highly confidential or involve principal administrative responsibility for the determination of policy or principal administrative responsibility for the way in which policies are carried out.
    (2) To require such special reports from the Director as it may consider desirable.
    (3) To disapprove original rules or any part thereof and any amendment thereof within 30 calendar days after the submission of such rules to the Merit Commission by the Director.
    (4) To disapprove within 30 calendar days from date of submission the position classification plan and any revisions thereof submitted by the Director as provided in the rules.
    (5) To hear appeals of employees who do not accept the allocation of their positions under the classification plan.
    (6) To hear and approve or disapprove written charges filed seeking the discharge or demotion of employees or suspension totaling more than 30 calendar days in any 12 month period, as provided in Section 9, appeals as provided in Section 9a of this Act, and appeals from transfers from one geographical area in the state to another, and in connection therewith to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and compel the production of books and papers.
    (7) To make an annual report regarding the work of the Commission to the Comptroller, such report to be a public record.
    (8) If any violation of this Act is found, the Commission shall direct compliance in writing.
    (9) To appoint such employees, experts and special assistants as may be necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the commission under this Act. Employees, experts and special assistants so appointed by the Commission shall be subject to jurisdictions A, B and C of this Act.
    (10) To make rules to carry out and implement their powers and duties under this Act, with authority to amend such rules from time to time.
(Source: P.A. 90-24 eff. 6-20-97.)