(625 ILCS 5/18c-3204) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-3204)

Sec. 18c-3204. Rate Proceedings.

(1) Initiation of proceedings. The Commission may initiate a proceeding to investigate or prescribe tariffs or schedules on its own motion or on complaint.

(2) Suspension of tariffs and schedules.

(a) Suspension of tariffs. The Commission may suspend a tariff, in whole or in part, during the pendency of a proceeding to consider the reasonableness of the tariff, or to consider whether the tariff is discriminatory, or to consider whether the tariff otherwise violates provisions of this Chapter, Commission regulations or orders, provided the order of suspension is issued prior to the effective date of the tariff. The suspension shall remain in effect for the period allowed under this Chapter unless the Commission order provides for a shorter period of suspension. At the end of the statutory suspension period the suspension may be extended by agreement of the parties; otherwise, the tariff shall go into effect. The statutory suspension period is:

(i) Seven months for public carriers and household goods common carriers;

(ii) One hundred and twenty days for motor carriers of passengers; and

(iii) Five months for rail carriers, unless the period is extended for an additional 3 months in accordance with provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act.

(b) Suspension of schedules. The Commission may suspend a household goods contract carrier schedule, in whole or in part, during the pendency of a proceeding to consider whether the schedule violates provisions of this Chapter, Commission regulations or orders, provided the order of suspension is issued prior to the effective date of the schedule. The suspension shall remain in effect for 7 months unless the Commission order provides for a shorter period of suspension. At the end of this period, the suspension may be extended by agreement of the parties; otherwise, the schedule shall go into effect.

(c) Burden of proof in investigation proceedings. The burden of proof in an investigation proceeding shall be on the proponent of the rate unless otherwise provided in a valid preemptive federal statute which governs the rate.

(3) Prescription of tariffs and schedules. The Commission may prescribe tariffs where it has determined, in accordance with Section 18c-2102 of this Chapter, that a tariff published by a carrier is unreasonable, discriminatory, or otherwise in violation of this Chapter, Commission regulations or orders. The Commission may prescribe schedules where it has determined, after hearing, that a schedule filed by a carrier is in violation of this Chapter, Commission regulations or orders.

(4) Relief. The Commission may, where it finds a tariff or schedule to be in violation of this Chapter, its regulations or orders, or finds rates or provisions in a tariff unjust, unreasonable, or discriminatory, and in accordance with Section 18c-2102 of this Chapter, direct the carrier to:

(a) Publish and file a supplement cancelling the tariff or file notice of cancellation of the schedule, in whole or in part;

(b) Publish and file a new tariff or file a new schedule containing rates and provisions prescribed by the Commission; and

(c) Repay any overcharges or collect any undercharges, and, except with regard to household goods carriers, pay reparations.

(Source: P.A. 89-42, eff. 1-1-96; 89-444, eff. 1-25-96; 90-14, eff. 7-1-97.)