Illinois § 16

§ 16.

Employee failure; investigation. Whenever, in the opinion of the inspector of mines, a serious or fatal accident in or about any mine in this State shall have been caused by failure on the part of the operator or any employee of such mine, or by any other person, or by any of them, to observe the provisions of this Act, it shall be the duty of the inspector to immediately notify the Department of Natural Resources by wire or telephone, and cause a copy of the report of such accident or a copy of the testimony taken at the coroner's inquest, together with the verdict of the coroner's jury, and all papers in his or her hands relating thereto, to be forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources that an investigation may be immediately conducted by the Department of Natural Resources, and if they concur with the inspector, all reports and testimony so assembled shall be delivered to the prosecuting officer of the county in which the accident or loss of life occurred, together with a statement of the inspector showing in what particular or particulars he or she believes the law to have been violated, and if upon the receipt thereof the prosecuting officer of the said county deems the facts to make a prima facie cause of action against any party, that officer shall present such evidence to the grand jury and take such further steps for the criminal prosecution of such operators, employees or other persons as may seem advisable. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)