(625 ILCS 5/18c-2105) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-2105)
Sec. 18c-2105.
Discovery.
(1) Discovery Generally. Any party may utilize
written interrogatories, depositions, requests for discovery or inspection
of documents or property and other discovery tools commonly utilized in
civil actions in the circuit courts in the State of Illinois in the manner
contemplated by the Code of Civil Procedure and the Rules of the Supreme
Court of Illinois; except that discovery must be completed by the 30th day
after the party filed its petition for leave to intervene, unless the period
of discovery is extended by agreement of the parties or by the Commission.
The Chairman or a hearing examiner may, at any time, on his own motion or
at the request of a party, issue such rulings denying, limiting, conditioning,
or regulating discovery as justice requires, and may supervise all or part
of any discovery procedure. Parties to proceedings before the Commission
are encouraged to clarify and resolve issues where possible through the
use of pre-hearing discovery. However, discovery order should be calculated
to lessen the time and expense required to reach an informed resolution of the issues.
(2) Subpoenas.
The Chairman or a hearing examiner may, for good cause, issue a subpoena
directing a person to appear and testify, and to produce records,
documents, or other papers, at a time and place set forth in the subpoena,
in connection with a proceeding before the Commission. Service of the
subpoena shall be in the same manner as a subpoena issued by a court.
The Commission may, on its own motion or the motion of a
person served with a subpoena, quash the subpoena, in whole
or in part.
(3) Appeal from Discovery and Subpoenas. A person served with a
discovery request or subpoena may appeal such interlocutory matter to the
Commission. Such appeals shall set forth grounds for seeking to quash or
limit the scope of the discovery or subpoena, as well as the specific
relief sought, and must be filed within 10 days after service of the
discovery or subpoena. If discovery is stayed by the Commission, the
person served shall be excused from compliance with the discovery order or
subpoena until a decision on its appeal is made by the Commission.
(4) Assessment and Payment of Discovery Costs.
The Commission may assess the costs of discovery, including
fees for witness attendance and travel, against the party by
which discovery was requested. Where a subpoena is issued on
the Commission's own motion, fees for witness attendance and
travel shall be paid by the Commission on request. Witness
fees shall be the same as for a circuit court proceeding.
Deposits to insure payment of costs and fees may be required.
(5) Enforcement of Discovery Procedures. The Commission may, where a
person has failed to comply with or permit discovery authorized hereunder,
determine any or all issues within the scope of the discovery or subpoena
adverse to such person without further evidence. The Commission may, in
addition, assess civil penalties under Article VII of Sub-chapter 1 of this
Chapter for such violator for contempt and may assess the costs of
enforcement, both before the Commission and before the court, against the violator.
(Source: P.A. 84-796.)
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