§ 18b-107 — Violations - Civil penalties

Except as provided in Section 18b-108, any person who is determined by the Department after reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing to have committed an act in violation of this Chapter or any rule or regulation issued under this Chapter is liable to the State for a civil penalty. Such person is subject to a civil penalty as prescribed by Appendix B to 49 CFR Part 386 -- Penalty Schedule; Violations and Maximum Monetary Penalties, except that a person committing a railroad-highway grade crossing violation is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000, and, if any such violation is a continuing one, each day of violation constitutes a separate offense. The amount of any such penalty shall be assessed by the Department by a written notice. In determining the amount of such penalty, the Department shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the violation and, with respect to a person found to have committed such violation, the degree of culpability, history or prior offenses, ability to pay, effect on ability to continue to do business and such other matters as justice may require. Such civil penalty is recoverable in an action brought by the State's Attorney or the Attorney General on behalf of the State in the circuit court or, prior to referral to the State's Attorney or the Attorney General, such civil penalty may be compromised by the Department. The amount of such penalty when finally determined (or agreed upon in compromise), may be deducted from any sums owed by the State to the person charged. All civil penalties collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the State Police Operations Assistance Fund. On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly, the hearing process established by this Section shall be completed by the Department. All such violations dated prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly shall be completed by the Department of Transportation.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 104-25, eff. 10-1-25 .)