SB1508 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 11227 HEP 21555 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB1508

Introduced 2/9/2017, by Sen. Heather A. Steans

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

775 ILCS 5/8-102

from Ch. 68, par. 8-102

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the powers and duties of the Human Rights Commission.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning human rights.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Human Rights Act is amended by changing Section 8-102 as follows:

(775 ILCS 5/8-102) (from Ch. 68, par. 8-102)

Sec. 8-102. Powers and Duties. In addition to the the other powers and duties prescribed in this Act, the Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(A) Meetings. To meet and function at any place within the State.

(B) Offices. To establish and maintain offices in Springfield and Chicago.

(C) Employees. To select and fix the compensation of such technical advisors and employees as it may deem necessary pursuant to the provisions of "The Personnel Code".

(D) Hearing Officers. To select and fix the compensation of hearing officers who shall be attorneys duly licensed to practice law in this State and full time employees of the Commission.

A formal and unbiased training program for hearing officers shall be implemented. The training program shall include the following:

(1) substantive and procedural aspects of the hearing officer position;

(2) current issues in human rights law and practice;

(3) lectures by specialists in substantive areas related to human rights matters;

(4) orientation to each operational unit of the Department and Commission;

(5) observation of experienced hearing officers conducting hearings of cases, combined with the opportunity to discuss evidence presented and rulings made;

(6) the use of hypothetical cases requiring the hearing officer to issue judgments as a means to evaluating knowledge and writing ability;

(7) writing skills;

(8) computer skills, including but not limited to word processing and document management.

A formal, unbiased and ongoing professional development program including, but not limited to, the above-noted areas shall be implemented to keep hearing officers informed of recent developments and issues and to assist them in maintaining and enhancing their professional competence.

(E) Rules and Regulations. To adopt, promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(F) Compulsory Process. To issue and authorize requests for enforcement of subpoenas and other compulsory process established by this Act.

(G) Decisions. Through a panel of three members designated by the Chairperson on a random basis, to hear and decide by majority vote complaints filed in conformity with this Act and to approve proposed settlements.

(H) Rehearings. To order, by a vote of 6 members, rehearing of its decisions by the entire Commission in conformity with this Act.

(I) Judicial Enforcement. To authorize requests for judicial enforcement of its orders in conformity with this Act.

(J) Opinions. To publish its decisions in timely fashion to assure a consistent source of precedent.

(K) Public Grants; Private Gifts. To accept public grants and private gifts as may be authorized.

(L) Interpreters. To appoint at the expense of the Commission a qualified sign language interpreter whenever a hearing impaired person is a party or witness at a public hearing.

(M) Automated Processing Plan. To prepare an electronic data processing and telecommunications plan jointly with the Department in accordance with Section 7-112.

(N) The provisions of this amendatory Act of 1995 amending subsection (G) of this Section apply to causes of action filed on or after January 1, 1996.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)