§ 13-107

Investigation of complaints against official testing stations, official mobile testing companies, and official portable emissions testing companies. The Department shall, upon its own motion, or upon charges made in writing verified under oath, investigate complaints that an official testing station or official portable emissions testing company is willfully falsifying records or tests, either for the purpose of selling parts or services not actually required, or for the purpose of issuing a certificate of safety for a vehicle designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers operated by a contract carrier transporting employees in the course of their employment on a highway of this State, second division vehicle, or medical transport vehicle that is not in safe mechanical condition as determined by the standards of this Chapter in violation of the provisions of this Chapter or of the rules and regulations issued by the Department. The Secretary of Transportation, for the purpose of more effectively carrying out the provisions of Chapter 13, may appoint such a number of inspectors as he may deem necessary. Such inspectors shall inspect and investigate applicants for official testing station or official portable emissions testing company permits and investigate and report violations. With respect to enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter 13, such inspectors shall have and may exercise throughout the State all the powers of police officers. The Secretary must authorize to each inspector and to any other employee of the Department exercising the powers of a peace officer a distinct badge that, on its face, (i) clearly states that the badge is authorized by the Department and (ii) contains a unique identifying number. No other badge shall be authorized by the Department. Nothing in this Section prohibits the Secretary from issuing shields or other distinctive identification to employees not exercising the powers of a peace officer if the Secretary determines that a shield or distinctive identification is needed by the employee to carry out his or her responsibilities.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 102-566, eff. 1-1-22; 103-476, eff. 1-1-24 .)