50 ILCS 745/ Firemen's Disciplinary Act.

(50 ILCS 745/1) (from Ch. 85, par. 2501)

Sec. 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Firemen's Disciplinary Act".

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/2) (from Ch. 85, par. 2502)

Sec. 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this Act, unless clearly required otherwise, the terms defined in this Section have the meaning ascribed herein:

(a) "Fireman" means a person who is a "firefighter" or "fireman" as defined in Sections 4-106 or 6-106 of the Illinois Pension Code, a paramedic employed by a unit of local government, or an EMT, emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), or advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT) employed by a unit of local government, and includes a person who is an "employee" as defined in Section 15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code and whose primary duties relate to firefighting.

(b) "Informal inquiry" means a meeting by supervisory or command personnel with a fireman upon whom an allegation of misconduct has come to the attention of such supervisory or command personnel, the purpose of which meeting is to mediate a citizen complaint or discuss the facts to determine whether a formal investigation should be commenced.

(c) "Formal investigation" means the process of investigation ordered by a commanding officer during which the questioning of a fireman is intended to gather evidence of misconduct which may be the basis for filing charges seeking his or her removal, discharge, or suspension from duty in excess of 24 duty hours.

(d) "Interrogation" means the questioning of a fireman pursuant to an investigation initiated by the respective State or local governmental unit in connection with an alleged violation of such unit's rules which may be the basis for filing charges seeking his or her suspension, removal, or discharge. The term does not include questioning as part of an informal inquiry as to allegations of misconduct relating to minor infractions of agency rules which may be noted on the fireman's record but which may not in themselves result in removal, discharge, or suspension from duty in excess of 24 duty hours.

(e) "Administrative proceeding" means any non-judicial hearing which is authorized to recommend, approve or order the suspension, removal, or discharge of a fireman.

(Source: P.A. 98-973, eff. 8-15-14.)

(50 ILCS 745/3) (from Ch. 85, par. 2503)

Sec. 3. Whenever a fireman is subjected to an interrogation within the meaning of this Act, the interrogation shall be conducted pursuant to Sections 3.1 through 3.11 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.1) (from Ch. 85, par. 2504)

Sec. 3.1. The interrogation shall take place at the facility to which the investigating officer is assigned, or at the facility which has jurisdiction over the place where the incident under investigation allegedly occurred, as designated by the investigating officer.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.2) (from Ch. 85, par. 2505)

Sec. 3.2. No fireman shall be subjected to questioning in relation to an allegation of misconduct without first being informed in writing of the allegations and whether the allegations, if proven, involve minor infractions or may result in removal, discharge, or suspension from duty in excess of 24 duty hours. If an administrative proceeding is instituted, the fireman shall be informed beforehand of the names of all complainants and all information necessary to reasonably apprise the fireman of the nature of the charges and the preparation of a defense.

(Source: P.A. 94-188, eff. 7-12-05.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.3) (from Ch. 85, par. 2506)

Sec. 3.3. All interrogations shall be conducted at a reasonable time of day. Whenever the nature of the alleged incident and operational requirements permit, interrogations shall be conducted during the time when the fireman is on duty.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.4) (from Ch. 85, par. 2507)

Sec. 3.4. The fireman under investigation shall be informed of the name, rank and unit or command of the officer in charge of the investigation, the interrogators, and all persons present during any interrogation except at a public administrative proceeding.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.5) (from Ch. 85, par. 2508)

Sec. 3.5. Interrogation sessions shall be of reasonable duration and shall permit the fireman interrogated reasonable periods for rest and personal necessities.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.6) (from Ch. 85, par. 2509)

Sec. 3.6. The fireman being interrogated shall not be subjected to professional or personal abuse, including offensive language.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.7) (from Ch. 85, par. 2510)

Sec. 3.7. A complete record of any interrogation shall be made, and a complete transcript or copy shall be made available to the fireman under investigation without charge and without undue delay. Such record may be electronically recorded.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.8) (from Ch. 85, par. 2511)

Sec. 3.8. No fireman shall be interrogated without first being advised in writing that admissions made in the course of the interrogation may be used as evidence of misconduct or as the basis for charges seeking suspension, removal, or discharge; and without first being advised in writing that he or she has the right to counsel of his or her choosing who may be present to advise him or her at any stage of any interrogation.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.9) (from Ch. 85, par. 2512)

Sec. 3.9. The fireman under investigation shall have the right to be represented by counsel of his or her choosing and may request counsel at any time before or during interrogation. When such request for counsel is made, no interrogation shall proceed until reasonable time and opportunity are provided the fireman to obtain counsel.

If a collective bargaining agreement requires the presence of a representative of the collective bargaining unit during investigations, such representative shall be present during the interrogation, unless this requirement is waived by the fireman being interrogated.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.10) (from Ch. 85, par. 2513)

Sec. 3.10. Admissions or confessions obtained during the course of any interrogation not conducted in accordance with this Act may not be utilized in any subsequent disciplinary proceeding against the fireman.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.11) (from Ch. 85, par. 2514)

Sec. 3.11. In the course of any interrogation no fireman shall be required to submit to a polygraph test, or any other test questioning by means of any chemical substance, except with the fireman's express written consent. Refusal to submit to such tests shall not result in any disciplinary action nor shall such refusal be made part of his or her record.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/4) (from Ch. 85, par. 2515)

Sec. 4. The rights of firemen in disciplinary procedures set forth under this Act shall not diminish the rights and privileges of firemen that are guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the State of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/5) (from Ch. 85, par. 2516)

Sec. 5. This Act does not apply to any fireman charged with violating any provisions of the Criminal Code of 1961, the Criminal Code of 2012, or any other federal, State, or local criminal law.

(Source: P.A. 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(50 ILCS 745/6) (from Ch. 85, par. 2517)

Sec. 6. The provisions of this Act apply only to the extent there is no collective bargaining agreement currently in effect dealing with the subject matter of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)

(50 ILCS 745/7) (from Ch. 85, par. 2518)

Sec. 7. No fireman shall be discharged, disciplined, demoted, denied promotion or seniority, transferred, reassigned or otherwise discriminated against in regard to his or her employment, or be threatened with any such treatment as retaliation for or by reason of his or her exercise of the rights granted by this Act.

(Source: P.A. 83-783.)