Section 1.200  Authority of Administrative Law Judge

The Administrative Law Judge has the authority to conduct a hearing, take all necessary action to avoid delay, maintain order, and insure the development of a clear and complete record.  The Administrative Law Judge shall have all powers necessary to conduct a hearing including the power to:

a)         Administer oaths and affirmations;

b)         Regulate the course of hearings, set the time and place for continued hearings, fix times for filing of documents, provide for the taking of testimony by deposition if necessary, and generally conduct the proceedings according to generally recognized administrative law and this Part;

c)         Examine witnesses and direct witnesses to testify;

d)         Limit the number of times any witness may testify, limit repetitious or cumulative testimony and set reasonable limits on the amount of time each witness may testify and be cross-examined;

e)         Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;

f)          Direct parties to appear and confer for the settlement or simplification of issues, and to otherwise conduct prehearing conferences;

g)         Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters;

h)         Render findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations for an order of the Commission;

i)          Reprimand or exclude from the hearing any person for indecorous or improper conduct committed in the presence of the Administrative Law Judge;

j)          Take official notice of generally recognized facts, administrative rules and regulations, and statutes;

k)         Enter any order that further carries out the purpose of this Part.

(Source:  Amended at 19 Ill. Reg. 12451, effective August 21, 1995)