225 ILCS 210/ Illinois Explosives Act.

(225 ILCS 210/Art. 5 heading) ARTICLE 5. ADMINISTRATION

(225 ILCS 210/5001) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5001)

Sec. 5001. Powers, duties, and functions of Department. In addition to the powers, duties, and functions vested in the Department by this Act, or by other laws of this State, the Department shall have the full powers and authority to carry out and administer this Act, including the following powers, duties, and functions:

(a) To adopt reasonable rules consistent with this Act to carry out the purposes and enforce the provisions of this Act.

(b) To prescribe and furnish application forms, licenses, certificates, and any other forms necessary under this Act.

(c) To prescribe examinations which reasonably test the applicant's knowledge of the safe and proper use, storage, possession, handling, and transfer of explosive materials.

(d) To establish and enforce reasonable standards for the use, storage, disposal, and transfer of explosive materials.

(e) To issue licenses and certificates to qualified applicants who comply with the requirements of this Act and its rules.

(f) To suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew licenses or certificates, or take other disciplinary action, including the imposition of fines. All fines collected under this Act shall be deposited into the Explosives Regulatory Fund.

(g) To establish by rule the expiration and renewal period for licenses and certificates issued under this Act, and to establish and collect license and certificate application fees, fees required by the Illinois State Police for criminal identification purposes, and such other fees as are authorized or necessary under this Act.

(h) To conduct and prescribe rules of procedure for hearings under this Act.

(i) To appoint qualified inspectors to periodically visit places where explosive materials may be stored or used, and to make such other inspections as are necessary to determine satisfactory compliance with this Act.

(j) To receive data and assistance from federal, State, and local governmental agencies, and to obtain copies of identification and arrest data from all federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies for use in carrying out the purposes and functions of the Department and this Act.

(k) To receive and respond to inquiries from the industry, public, and agencies or instrumentalities of the State, and to offer advice, make recommendations, and provide monitoring services pertinent to such inquiries regarding the safe and proper storage, handling, and use of explosive materials.

(l) To inform, advise, and assist the State's Attorney of the county where any noncompliance with or violation of this Act occurs when the State's Attorney is seeking criminal charges against a person pursuant to Section 5010 or 5011 of this Act.

(m) To bring an action in the name of the Department, through the Attorney General of the State of Illinois, whenever it appears to the Department that any person is engaged or is about to engage in any acts or practices that constitute or may constitute a violation of the provisions of this Act or its rules, for an order enjoining such violation or for an order enforcing compliance with this Act. Upon filing of a verified petition in such court, the court may issue a temporary restraining order without notice or bond and may preliminarily or permanently enjoin such violation. If it is established that such person has violated or is violating the injunction, the court may punish the offender for contempt of court. Proceedings under this paragraph are in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other remedies and penalties provided for by this Act.

The powers, duties, and functions vested in the Department under the provisions of this Act shall not be construed to affect in any manner the powers, duties, and functions vested in the Department under any other provision of law.

(Source: P.A. 96-1194, eff. 1-1-11; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)

(225 ILCS 210/5002)

Sec. 5002. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 88-599, eff. 9-1-94. Repealed by P.A. 96-1194, eff. 1-1-11.)

(225 ILCS 210/5003) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5003)

Sec. 5003. Appeal to Department; Hearing; Notice.

(a) Whenever the Department intends to refuse to issue or renew or to suspend, revoke or take other disciplinary action with respect to a license or certificate, the Department shall give notice to the applicant or holder. Such notice shall be in writing, shall state specifically the grounds upon which the Department intends to take the indicated action and shall be served by delivery of the same personally to the applicant or holder, or by mailing the same by registered or certified mail to the applicant or holder's last known address. The aggrieved party may appeal to the Department for a hearing. The applicant or holder shall request such a hearing in writing within 30 days after notice is mailed. The provisions of Sections 5003 through 5005 shall not apply to decisions of the Department to deny a license or certificate based on an applicant's failure to satisfy any age or examination requirements.

(b) Upon the receipt of a request for a hearing, the Department shall order a hearing to be held. The hearing proceedings shall be commenced within 30 days after the receipt by the Department of the request for a hearing unless the hearing is continued for good cause at the request of any party. The Department shall, at least 10 days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify in writing the applicant for or holder of a license or certificate that a hearing will be held at the place and on the date designated in the notice to determine whether the applicant or holder is qualified to hold a license or certificate, and that the Department shall afford the applicant or holder an opportunity to be heard. Such written notice may be served by personal delivery to the applicant or holder, or by mailing the notice by registered or certified mail to the applicant or holder's last known address.

(c) At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Department shall proceed to hear the appeal, and all parties to the proceeding shall have the opportunity to present such statements, testimony, evidence and argument as may be relevant to the proceeding. Hearings shall be conducted by hearing officers appointed by the Department, and an authorized agent of the Department may administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing which the Department is authorized to conduct. The Department, if necessary, may continue such hearing from time to time. Hearing officers may authorize reasonable discovery by any party. The Illinois Code of Civil Procedure and Illinois Supreme Court rules shall not be applicable to hearing proceedings under this Section.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Department to deny, refuse to issue or renew, or suspend, revoke, or take other disciplinary action with respect to a license or certificate if the applicant or holder waives the right to a hearing by failing to request a hearing within the prescribed time after notice is mailed.

(Source: P.A. 96-1194, eff. 1-1-11.)

(225 ILCS 210/5004) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5004)

Sec. 5004. Record of proceedings; transcript. The Department or aggrieved party may provide at its or his or her expense a certified shorthand reporter to take down the testimony and preserve a record of all proceedings at the hearing of any case involving denial or refusal to issue or renew a license or certificate, or the suspension or revocation or other discipline of a license or certificate. Copies of the transcript of such record may be purchased from the certified shorthand reporter who prepared the record.

(Source: P.A. 96-1194, eff. 1-1-11.)

(225 ILCS 210/5005) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5005)

Sec. 5005. Findings of fact. The Department shall make findings of fact in such hearing, and shall render its decision within 30 days after termination of the hearing, unless additional time is required by the Department for a proper disposition of the matter. The Department shall serve a copy of its decision on the applicant or holder either personally or by certified or registered mail within 5 days of rendering the decision. Technical errors in the proceeding before the Department shall not be grounds for reversal of any administrative decision unless it appears to the court that such error materially affects the rights of any party and results in substantial injustice to such person.

(Source: P.A. 86-364.)

(225 ILCS 210/5006) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5006)

Sec. 5006. Actions without notice of hearing. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, whenever the Department finds that a condition or practice exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm or property damage, and if the Department incorporates a finding to that effect in an order, it may summarily suspend or revoke a license or certificate, or order such immediate action as may be necessary to abate the condition or practice. Whenever summary action is taken under this Section, the Department shall, simultaneously with such action, serve upon the holder a copy of its order which shall be effective immediately. Upon the request of the aggrieved party, the Department shall conduct a hearing regarding its order in accordance with the requirements of Sections 5003, 5004, and 5005 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 96-1194, eff. 1-1-11.)

(225 ILCS 210/5007) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5007)

Sec. 5007. Surrender; Seizure of license. Upon the suspension or revocation of any license or certificate, the holder shall immediately surrender the license or certificate to the Department. If the holder fails to do so, the Department has the right to seize the license or certificate through its agents or local law enforcement personnel. If summary action under Section 5006 of this Act is taken by the Department, the Department shall have the right to seize the license or certificate immediately upon issuance of its order.

(Source: P.A. 86-364.)

(225 ILCS 210/5008) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5008)

Sec. 5008. Administrative Review Law. All final administrative decisions of the Department under this Act are subject to judicial review pursuant to the Administrative Review Law (735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq.), as now or hereafter amended, and its rules. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Appeals from all orders and judgments entered by the court, in reviewing a final administrative decision of the Department, may be taken by any party to the action as in other civil cases. Pending final decision on such review, the acts, orders and rulings of the Department shall remain in full force and effect unless modified or suspended by order of court pending final judicial decision. The Department shall not be required to certify any record to the court or file any answer in court or otherwise appear in any court in a judicial review proceeding, unless there is filed in the court with the complaint a receipt from the Department acknowledging payment of the costs of furnishing and certifying the record, which costs shall be computed at the rate of 35 cents per page. Failure on the part of the plaintiff to file such receipt in court shall be grounds for dismissal of the action.

(Source: P.A. 96-1194, eff. 1-1-11.)

(225 ILCS 210/5010) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5010)

Sec. 5010. Unlawful possession. Any person subject to this Act who possesses an explosive material without having obtained a valid license or certificate under this Act is guilty of a Class 3 felony unless otherwise exempted under Section 1005 or 2000 of this Act. Any person subject to this Act who transfers explosive material to a person who does not possess a valid license or certificate under this Act is guilty of a Class 3 felony unless otherwise exempted under Section 1005 or 2000 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 96-1194, eff. 1-1-11.)

(225 ILCS 210/5011) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5011)

Sec. 5011. Violation and penalty. Any license or certificate holder who fails to comply with or violates any applicable provision of this Act is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. All law enforcement officers and personnel of the State of Illinois and the various units of local government are responsible for assisting with the enforcement of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 86-364.)

(225 ILCS 210/5012) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5012)

Sec. 5012. Existing remedies unimpaired. No existing civil or criminal remedy for any wrongful action which is a violation of any code, or rule promulgated under this Act shall be excluded or impaired by this Act.

(Source: P.A. 86-364.)

(225 ILCS 210/5013) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1-5013)

Sec. 5013. Variations.

(a) Emergency variations. The Department may approve variations from the requirements of this Act when it finds that an emergency exists and that the proposed variations from the specific requirements are necessary, will not hinder the effective administration of this Act, and will not be contrary to any provisions of any other applicable law.

(b) Other variations. The Director may authorize alternate construction for explosives storage magazines when it is shown that the alternate magazine construction is substantially equivalent to the standards of safety and security required under this Act or the Department's rules. Any person intending to use alternate magazine construction shall submit a letter application to the Director, specifically describing the proposed magazine. Explosive materials may not be stored in alternate magazines before the applicant has been notified that the application has been approved.

(Source: P.A. 86-364; 87-835.)

(225 ILCS 210/5014)

Sec. 5014. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 86-364. Repealed by P.A. 96-1194, eff. 1-1-11.)