§ 55 — Hearings

The hearing requested under Sec. 50 shall be conducted by the Director or an individual designated in writing by the Director as a hearing officer. The Director or hearing officer may compel, by subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and papers. The Director or hearing officer may administer oaths to witnesses. The hearing shall be conducted at a place designated by the Department. The procedures governing hearings and the issuance of final orders under this Act shall be according to rules adopted by the Department. All subpoenas issued by the Director or hearing officer may be served as in civil actions. The fees of witnesses for attendance and travel shall be the same as the fees for witnesses before the circuit court and shall be paid by the party to the proceedings at whose request the subpoena is issued. If a subpoena is issued at the request of the Department, the witness fee shall be paid by the Department as an administrative expense. If a witness refuses to attend or testify, or to produce books or papers, concerning any matter on which he or she might be lawfully examined, the circuit court of the county in which the hearing is held, on application of any party to the proceeding, may compel obedience by a proceeding for contempt as in cases of a refusal to obey a similar order of the court.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 87-1188.)