(610 ILCS 80/2) (from Ch. 114, par. 98)

Sec. 2. Conductors of all railroad trains, and the captain or master of any boat carrying passengers within the jurisdiction of this State, are vested with police powers while on duty on their respective trains and boats, and may wear an appropriate badge indicative of this authority.

In the policing of its properties any registered rail carrier, as defined in Section 18c-7201 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, may provide for the appointment and maintenance of a police force to aid and supplement the police forces of any municipality in the protection of its property and the protection of the persons and property of its passengers and employees, or in furtherance of the purposes for which the railroad was organized. While engaged in the conduct of their employment, the members of the railroad police force have and may exercise the same police powers conferred upon any peace officer employed by a law enforcement agency of this State, including the authority to issue administrative citations in accordance with the provisions of county or municipal ordinances.

Any registered rail carrier that appoints and maintains a police force shall comply with the following requirements:

(1) Establish an internal policy that includes procedures to ensure objective oversight in addressing allegations of abuse of authority or other misconduct on the part of its police officers.

(2) Adopt appropriate policies and guidelines for employee investigations by police officers. These policies and guidelines shall provide for initiating employee investigations only under the following conditions:

(A) There is reason to believe criminal misconduct has occurred.

(B) In response to an employee accident.

(C) There is reason to believe that the interview of an employee could result in workplace violence.

(D) There is a legitimate concern for the personal safety of one or more employees.

These policies and guidelines shall provide for the right of an employee to request a representative to be present during any interview concerning a non-criminal matter.

(3) File copies of the policies and guidelines adopted under paragraphs (1) and (2) with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, which shall make them available for public inspection. The Board shall review the policies and guidelines, and approve them if they comply with the Act.

(4) Appeal of a rail carrier's decision. A person adversely affected or aggrieved by a decision of a rail carrier's internal investigation under this Act may appeal the decision to the Illinois State Police. The appeal shall be filed no later than 90 days after the issuance of the decision. The Illinois State Police shall review the depth, completeness, and objectivity of the rail carrier's investigation, and may conduct its own investigation of the complaint. The Illinois State Police may uphold, overturn, or modify the rail carrier's decision by filing a report of its findings and recommendations with the Illinois Commerce Commission. Consistent with authority under Chapter 18C of the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Commission rules of practice, the Commission shall have the power to conduct evidentiary hearings, make findings, and issue and enforce orders, including sanctions under Section 18c-1704 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

Rulemaking authority to implement this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, if any, is conditioned on the rules being adopted in accordance with all provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and all rules and procedures of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules; any purported rule not so adopted, for whatever reason, is unauthorized.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)