Statutes > Illinois Statutes > CHAPTER 625 VEHICLES > 625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code. > Chapter 2 - The Secretary Of State

Chapter 2 - The Secretary Of State


      (625 ILCS 5/Ch. 2 heading)
CHAPTER 2. THE SECRETARY OF STATE

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑101) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑101)
    Sec. 2‑101. Administration vested in Secretary of State.
    The Secretary of State is hereby vested with powers and duties and jurisdiction of administering Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of The Illinois Vehicle Code.
(Source: P.A. 76‑1586.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑102) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑102)
    Sec. 2‑102. Organization of administration.
    The Secretary of State shall organize the work of the administration of the portion of this Act delegated to him in such manner as he may deem necessary to carry out those provisions of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 76‑1586.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑103) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑103)
    Sec. 2‑103. Secretary of State to appoint subordinates. The Secretary of State shall appoint such subordinate officers, clerks, investigators, and other employees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 82‑783.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑104) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑104)
    Sec. 2‑104. Powers and duties of the Secretary of State. (a) The administration of Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Act is vested in the Secretary of State, who is charged with the duty of observing, administering and enforcing the provisions of this Act.
    (b) The Secretary may from time to time make, amend, and rescind such rules and regulations as may be necessary in the public interest to carry out the provisions of this Act, including rules and regulations governing procedures for the filing of applications and the issuance of licenses or registrations thereunder. The rules and regulations adopted by the Secretary of State under this Act shall be effective in the manner provided for in "The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act", approved September 22, 1975, as amended.
(Source: P.A. 83‑333.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑105)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑105)
    Sec. 2‑105. Offices of Secretary of State.
    (a) The Secretary of State shall maintain offices in the State capital and in such other places in the State as he may deem necessary to properly carry out the powers and duties vested in him.
    (b) The Secretary of State may construct and equip one or more buildings in the State of Illinois outside of the County of Sangamon as he deems necessary to properly carry out the powers and duties vested in him. The Secretary of State may, on behalf of the State of Illinois, acquire public or private property needed therefor by lease, purchase or eminent domain. The care, custody and control of such sites and buildings constructed thereon shall be vested in the Secretary of State. Expenditures for the construction and equipping of any of such buildings upon premises owned by another public entity shall not be subject to the provisions of any State law requiring that the State be vested with absolute fee title to the premises. The exercise of the authority vested in the Secretary of State by this Section is subject to the appropriation of the necessary funds.
    (c) Pursuant to Sections 4‑6.2, 5‑16.2, and 6‑50.2 of the Election Code, the Secretary of State shall make driver services facilities available for use as temporary places of registration. Registration within the offices shall be in the most public, orderly and convenient portions thereof, and Section 4‑3, 5‑3, and 11‑4 of the Election Code relative to the attendance of police officers during the conduct of registration shall apply. Registration under this Section shall be made in the manner provided by Sections 4‑8, 4‑10, 5‑7, 5‑9, 6‑34, 6‑35, and 6‑37 of the Election Code.
    (d) Within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1990, and no later than November 1 of each even‑numbered year thereafter, the Secretary of State, to the extent practicable, shall designate to each election authority in the State a reasonable number of employees at each driver services facility registered to vote within the jurisdiction of such election authority and within adjacent election jurisdictions for appointment as deputy registrars by the election authority located within the election jurisdiction where the employees maintain their residences. Such designation shall be in writing and certified by the Secretary of State.
    (e) Each person applying at a driver services facility for a driver's license or permit, a corrected driver's license or permit, an Illinois identification card or a corrected Illinois identification card shall be notified that the person may register at such station to vote in the State and may also transfer his voter registration at such station to a different address in the State. Such notification may be made in writing or verbally issued by an employee or the Secretary of State.
    The Secretary of State shall promulgate such rules as may be necessary for the efficient execution of his duties and the duties of his employees under this amendatory Act of 1990.
    (f) Any person applying at a driver services facility for issuance or renewal of a driver's license or Illinois Identification Card shall be provided, without charge, with a brochure warning the person of the dangers of financial identity theft. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall prepare these brochures and provide them to the Secretary of State for distribution. The brochures shall (i) identify signs warning the reader that he or she might be an intended victim of the crime of financial identity theft, (ii) instruct the reader in how to proceed if the reader believes that he or she is the victim of the crime of identity theft, and (iii) provide the reader with names and telephone numbers of law enforcement and other governmental agencies that provide assistance to victims of financial identity theft.
(Source: P.A. 94‑645, eff. 8‑22‑05; 94‑1001, eff. 1‑1‑07.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑105.5)
    Sec. 2‑105.5. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, any power granted under this Code to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act.
(Source: P.A. 94‑1055, eff. 1‑1‑07.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑106) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑106)
    Sec. 2‑106. Secretary of State to prescribe forms.
    The Secretary of State shall prescribe or provide suitable forms of applications, certificates of title, registration cards, driver's licenses and such other forms requisite or deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act and any other laws pertaining to vehicles the enforcement and administration of which are vested in the Secretary of State.
(Source: P.A. 76‑1586.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑107) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑107)
    Sec. 2‑107. Authority to administer oaths.
    Officers and employees of the Secretary of State designated by him are, for the purpose of administering the motor vehicle laws and any other laws relating to the use and operation of motor vehicles, authorized to administer oaths and acknowledge signatures, and shall do so without fee.
(Source: P.A. 76‑1586.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑108) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑108)
    Sec. 2‑108. Authority to certify copies of records.
    The Secretary of State is hereby authorized to prepare under the seal of the Secretary of State certified copies of any records of his office and every such certified copy shall be admissible in any proceeding in any court in like manner as the original thereof.
(Source: P.A. 76‑1586.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑109) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑109)
    Sec. 2‑109. Records of Secretary of State.
    The Secretary of State may destroy any records of his office relating to the administration of any laws relating to the use and operation of motor vehicles the enforcement and administration of which are vested in him, if such records have been maintained on file for 4 years. Such records may be destroyed prior thereto with the approval of the State Records Commission.
(Source: P.A. 76‑1586.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑109.1)
    Sec. 2‑109.1. Exchange of information.
    (a) The Secretary of State shall exchange information with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services which may be necessary for the establishment of paternity and the establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support orders pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non‑Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non‑Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984.
    (b) Notwithstanding any provisions in this Code to the contrary, the Secretary of State shall not be liable to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under subsection (a) or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of subsection (a).
(Source: P.A. 95‑331, eff. 8‑21‑07.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑110)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑110)
    Sec. 2‑110. Authority to grant or refuse applications.     The Secretary of State shall examine and determine the genuineness, regularity and legality of every application for registration of a vehicle, for a certificate of title therefor, and for a driver's license and of any other application lawfully made to the Secretary of State, and may in all cases make investigation and verify the information and the authenticity of the documents submitted as may be deemed necessary or require additional information, and shall reject any such application if not satisfied of the genuineness, regularity or legality thereof or the truth of any statement contained therein, or for any other reason, when authorized by law.
(Source: P.A. 93‑895, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑111)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑111)
    Sec. 2‑111. Seizure or confiscation of documents and plates.
    (a) The Secretary of State is authorized to take possession of any certificate of title, registration card, permit, license, registration plate, plates, disability license plate or parking decal or device, or registration sticker issued by him upon expiration, revocation, cancellation or suspension thereof, or which is fictitious, or which has been unlawfully or erroneously issued. Police officers who have reasonable grounds to believe that any item or items listed in this Section should be seized shall request the Secretary of State to take possession of such item or items.
    (b) The Secretary of State is authorized to confiscate any suspected fraudulent, fictitious, or altered documents submitted by an applicant in support of an application for a driver's license or permit.
(Source: P.A. 93‑895, eff. 1‑1‑05; 94‑619, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑112)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑112)
    Sec. 2‑112. Distribution of synopsis laws.
    (a) The Secretary of State may publish a synopsis or summary of the laws of this State regulating the operation of vehicles and may deliver a copy thereof without charge with each original vehicle registration and with each original driver's license.
    (b) The Secretary of State shall make any necessary revisions in its publications including, but not limited to, the Illinois Rules of the Road, to accurately conform its publications to the provisions of the Pedestrians with Disabilities Safety Act.
(Source: P.A. 96‑1167, eff. 7‑22‑10.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑113) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑113)
    Sec. 2‑113. Secretary of State may subpoena witnesses and request the production of books and records.
    (a) The Secretary of State, or employees designated by him, may request the production of pertinent books, records, letters, contracts or other pertinent documents of any person licensed or required to be licensed or registered under any chapter of this Act, for the purpose of investigations or audits, which in the opinion of the Secretary of State, are necessary and proper for the enforcement of this Act and the collection of any fees or taxes required to be paid under this Act.
    (b) For the purpose of all hearings which in the opinion of the Secretary of State are necessary and proper for the enforcement of this Act, the Secretary of State, or a person designated by him is empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, take evidence, and require the production of any books, papers or other documents which the Secretary of State, or a person designated by him, deems relevant or material to the inquiry. Any circuit court of this State, upon application by the Secretary of State and upon a proper showing may order the attendance of witnesses, the production of books, papers, accounts and documents and the giving of testimony before the Secretary of State, or a person designated by him; and any failure to obey such order may be punished by such circuit court as a contempt thereof. The fees of subpoenaed witnesses under this Act for attendance and travel shall be the same as fees of witnesses before the circuit courts of the State, such fees to be paid when the witness is excused from further attendance, provided, such witness is subpoenaed at the instance of the Secretary of State; and payment of such fees shall be made and audited in the same manner as other expenses of the Secretary of State. Whenever a subpoena is issued at the request of a complainant or respondent or defendant as the case may be, the Secretary of State may require that the cost of service and the fee of the witness shall be borne by the party at whose instance the witness is summoned. The Secretary of State shall have power in his discretion, to require a deposit to cover the cost of such service and witness fees and the payment of the legal witness fee and mileage to the witness served with subpoena. A subpoena issued under the provisions of this Act shall be served in the same manner as a subpoena issued out of a court.
(Source: P.A. 77‑1541.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑114) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑114)
    Sec. 2‑114. Giving of notice. Whenever the Secretary of State is authorized or required to give any notice under this Act or other law regulating the operation of vehicles, unless a different method of giving such notice is otherwise expressly prescribed, such notice shall be given either by personal delivery thereof to the person to be so notified or by deposit in the United States mail of such notice in an envelope with postage prepaid, addressed to such person at his address as shown by the records of the Office of the Secretary of State. The giving of notice by mail is complete upon the expiration of 4 days after such deposit of said notice. Proof of the giving of notice in either such manner may be made by the certificate of any officer or employee of the Secretary of State or affidavit of any person over 18 years of age, naming the person to whom such notice was given and specifying the time, place and manner of the giving thereof.
    The Secretary may include with the notice any material, from any source, relating to the donation of any vehicle to any charitable not‑for‑profit organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(Source: P.A. 93‑796, eff. 7‑22‑04.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑115)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑115)
    Sec. 2‑115. Investigators.
    (a) The Secretary of State, for the purpose of more effectively carrying out the provisions of the laws in relation to motor vehicles, shall have power to appoint such number of investigators as he may deem necessary. It shall be the duty of such investigators to investigate and enforce violations of the provisions of this Act administered by the Secretary of State and provisions of Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 and to investigate and report any violation by any person who operates as a motor carrier of property as defined in Section 18‑100 of this Act and does not hold a valid certificate or permit. Such investigators shall have and may exercise throughout the State all of the powers of peace officers.
    No person may be retained in service as an investigator under this Section after he has reached 60 years of age.
    The Secretary of State must authorize to each investigator employed under this Section and to any other employee of the Office of the Secretary of State exercising the powers of a peace officer a distinct badge that, on its face, (i) clearly states that the badge is authorized by the Office of the Secretary of State and (ii) contains a unique identifying number. No other badge shall be authorized by the Office of the Secretary of State.
    (b) The Secretary may expend such sums as he deems necessary from Contractual Services appropriations for the Department of Police for the purchase of evidence, for the employment of persons to obtain evidence, and for the payment for any goods or services related to obtaining evidence. Such sums shall be advanced to investigators authorized by the Secretary to expend funds, on vouchers signed by the Secretary. In addition, the Secretary of State is authorized to maintain one or more commercial checking accounts with any State banking corporation or corporations organized under or subject to the Illinois Banking Act for the deposit and withdrawal of moneys to be used solely for the purchase of evidence and for the employment of persons to obtain evidence, or for the payment for any goods or services related to obtaining evidence; provided that no check may be written on nor any withdrawal made from any such account except on the written signatures of 2 persons designated by the Secretary to write such checks and make such withdrawals, and provided further that the balance of moneys on deposit in any such account shall not exceed $5,000 at any time, nor shall any one check written on or single withdrawal made from any such account exceed $5,000.
    All fines or moneys collected or received by the Department of Police under any State or federal forfeiture statute; including, but not limited to moneys forfeited under Section 12 of the Cannabis Control Act, moneys forfeited under Section 85 of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, and moneys distributed under Section 413 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Evidence Fund.
    In all convictions for offenses in violation of this Act, the Court may order restitution to the Secretary of any or all sums expended for the purchase of evidence, for the employment of persons to obtain evidence, and for the payment for any goods or services related to obtaining evidence. All such restitution received by the Secretary shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Evidence Fund. Moneys deposited into the fund shall, subject to appropriation, be used by the Secretary of State for the purposes provided for under the provisions of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 94‑556, eff. 9‑11‑05.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑116) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑116)
    Sec. 2‑116. Secretary of State Department of Police.
    (a) The Secretary of State and the officers, inspectors, and investigators appointed by him shall cooperate with the State Police and the sheriffs and police in enforcing the laws regulating the operation of vehicles and the use of the highways.
    (b) The Secretary of State may provide training and education for members of his office in traffic regulation, the promotion of traffic safety and the enforcement of laws vested in the Secretary of State for administration and enforcement regulating the operation of vehicles and the use of the highways.
    (c) The Secretary of State may provide distinctive uniforms and badges for officers, inspectors and investigators employed in the administration of laws relating to the operation of vehicles and the use of the highways and vesting the administration and enforcement of such laws in the Secretary of State.
    (d) The Secretary of State Department of Police is authorized to:
        (1) investigate the origins, activities, persons,
     and incidents of crime and the ways and means, if any, to redress the victims of crimes, and study the impact, if any, of legislation relative to the criminal laws of this State related thereto and conduct any other investigations as may be provided by law;
        (2) employ skilled experts, technicians,
     investigators, special agents, or otherwise specially qualified persons to aid in preventing or detecting crime, apprehending criminals, or preparing and presenting evidence of violations of the criminal laws of the State;
        (3) cooperate with the police of cities, villages,
     and incorporated towns, and with the police officers of any county, in enforcing the laws of the State and in making arrests;
        (4) provide, as may be required by law, assistance
     to local law enforcement agencies through training, management, and consultant services for local law enforcement agencies, pertaining to law enforcement activities;
        (5) exercise the rights, powers, and duties which
     have been vested in it by the Secretary of State Act and this Code; and
        (6) enforce and administer any other laws in
     relation to law enforcement as may be vested in the Secretary of State Department of Police.
    Persons within the Secretary of State Department of Police who exercise these powers are conservators of the peace and have all the powers possessed by policemen in municipalities and sheriffs, and may exercise these powers anywhere in the State in cooperation with local law enforcement officials. These persons may use false or fictitious names in the performance of their duties under this Section, upon approval of the Director of Police‑Secretary of State, and shall not be subject to prosecution under the criminal laws for that use.
    (e) The Secretary of State Department of Police may charge, collect, and receive fees or moneys equivalent to the cost of providing its personnel, equipment, and services to governmental agencies when explicitly requested by a governmental agency and according to an intergovernmental agreement or memorandums of understanding as provided by this Section, including but not limited to fees or moneys equivalent to the cost of providing training to other governmental agencies on terms and conditions that in the judgment of the Director of Police‑Secretary of State are in the best interest of the Secretary of State. All fees received by the Secretary of State Police Department under this Act shall be deposited in a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Secretary of State Police Services Fund. The money deposited in the Secretary of State Police Services Fund shall be appropriated to the Secretary of State Department of Police as provided for in subsection (g).
    (f) The Secretary of State Department of Police may apply for grants or contracts and receive, expend, allocate, or disburse moneys made available by public or private entities, including, but not limited to, contracts, bequests, grants, or receiving equipment from corporations, foundations, or public or private institutions of higher learning.
    (g) The Secretary of State Police Services Fund is hereby created as a special fund in the State Treasury. All moneys received under this Section by the Secretary of State Department of Police shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Police Services Fund to be appropriated to the Secretary of State Department of Police for purposes as indicated by the grantor or contractor or, in the case of moneys bequeathed or granted for no specific purpose, for any purpose as deemed appropriate by the Director of Police‑Secretary of State in administering the responsibilities of the Secretary of State Department of Police.
(Source: P.A. 92‑501, eff. 12‑19‑01.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑117) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑117)
    Sec. 2‑117. Injunction. Whenever it shall appear to the Secretary of State that any person is engaged or about to engage in any acts or practices which constitute or will constitute a violation of the provisions of this Act, or of any rule or regulation prescribed under authority thereof, the Secretary of State may in his or her discretion, through the Attorney General, apply for an injunction without notice, and upon a proper showing, the circuit court shall have power to enter a permanent or preliminary injunction or a temporary restraining order without bond, to enforce the provisions of this Act, in addition to the penalties and other remedies in this Act provided; and either party may appeal as in other civil cases.
(Source: P.A. 83‑342.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑118)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑118)
    Sec. 2‑118. Hearings.
    (a) Upon the suspension, revocation or denial of the issuance of a license, permit, registration or certificate of title under this Code of any person the Secretary of State shall immediately notify such person in writing and upon his written request shall, within 20 days after receipt thereof, set a date for a hearing to commence within 90 calendar days from the date of the written request for all requests related to a suspension, revocation, or the denial of the issuance of a license, permit, registration, or certificate of title occurring after July 1, 2002, in the County of Sangamon, the County of Jefferson, or the County of Cook, as such person may specify, unless both parties agree that such hearing may be held in some other county. The Secretary may require the payment of a fee of not more than $50 for the filing of any petition, motion, or request for hearing conducted pursuant to this Section. These fees must be deposited into the Secretary of State DUI Administration Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury, and, subject to appropriation and as directed by the Secretary of State, shall be used for operation of the Department of Administrative Hearings of the Office of the Secretary of State and for no other purpose. The Secretary shall establish by rule the amount and the procedures, terms, and conditions relating to these fees.
    (b) At any time after the suspension, revocation or denial of a license, permit, registration or certificate of title of any person as hereinbefore referred to, the Secretary of State, in his or her discretion and without the necessity of a request by such person, may hold such a hearing, upon not less than 10 days' notice in writing, in the Counties of Sangamon, Jefferson, or Cook or in any other county agreed to by the parties.
    (c) Upon any such hearing, the Secretary of State, or his authorized agent may administer oaths and issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and records and may require an examination of such person. Upon any such hearing, the Secretary of State shall either rescind or, good cause appearing therefor, continue, change or extend the Order of Revocation or Suspension, or upon petition therefore and subject to the provisions of this Code, issue a restricted driving permit or reinstate the license or permit of such person.
    (d) All hearings and hearing procedures shall comply with requirements of the Constitution, so that no person is deprived of due process of law nor denied equal protection of the laws. All hearings shall be held before the Secretary of State or before such persons as may be designated by the Secretary of State and appropriate records of such hearings shall be kept. Where a transcript of the hearing is taken, the person requesting the hearing shall have the opportunity to order a copy thereof at his own expense. The Secretary of State shall enter an order upon any hearing conducted under this Section, related to a suspension, revocation, or the denial of the issuance of a license, permit, registration, or certificate of title occurring after July 1, 2002, within 90 days of its conclusion and shall immediately notify the person in writing of his or her action.
    (d‑5) Any hearing over which the Secretary of State has jurisdiction because of a person's implied consent to testing of the person's blood, breath, or urine for the presence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds may be conducted upon a review of the official police reports. Either party, however, may subpoena the arresting officer and any other law enforcement officer who was involved in the petitioner's arrest or processing after arrest, as well as any other person whose testimony may be probative to the issues at the hearing. The failure of a law enforcement officer to answer the subpoena shall be considered grounds for a continuance if, in the hearing officer's discretion, the continuance is appropriate. The failure of the arresting officer to answer a subpoena shall not, in and of itself, be considered grounds for the rescission of an implied consent suspension. Rather, the hearing shall proceed on the basis of the other evidence available, and the hearing officer shall assign this evidence whatever probative value is deemed appropriate. The decision whether to rescind shall be based upon the totality of the evidence.
    (e) The action of the Secretary of State in suspending, revoking or denying any license, permit, registration, or certificate of title shall be subject to judicial review in the Circuit Court of Sangamon County, in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, or in the Circuit Court of Cook County, and the provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and all amendments and modifications thereto, and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, are hereby adopted and shall apply to and govern every action for the judicial review of final acts or decisions of the Secretary of State hereunder.
(Source: P.A. 95‑627, eff. 6‑1‑08; 96‑184, eff. 8‑10‑09.)

    (625 ILCS 5/2‑118.1)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2‑118.1)
    (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 96‑1344)
    Sec. 2‑118.1. Opportunity for hearing; statutory summary alcohol or other drug related suspension.
    (a) A statutory summary suspension of driving privileges under Section 11‑501.1 shall not become effective until the person is notified in writing of the impending suspension and informed that he may request a hearing in the circuit court of venue under paragraph (b) of this Section and the statutory summary suspension shall become effective as provided in Section 11‑501.1.
    (b) Within 90 days after the notice of statutory summary suspension served under Section 11‑501.1, the person may make a written request for a judicial hearing in the circuit court of venue. The request to the circuit court shall state the grounds upon which the person seeks to have the statutory summary suspension rescinded. Within 30 days after receipt of the written request or the first appearance date on the Uniform Traffic Ticket issued pursuant to a violation of Section 11‑501, or a similar provision of a local ordinance, the hearing shall be conducted by the circuit court having jurisdiction. This judicial hearing, request, or process shall not stay or delay the statutory summary suspension. The hearings shall proceed in the court in the same manner as in other civil proceedings.
    The hearing may be conducted upon a review of the law enforcement officer's own official reports; provided however, that the person may subpoena the officer. Failure of the officer to answer the subpoena shall be considered grounds for a continuance if in the court's discretion the continuance is appropriate.
    The scope of the hearing shall be limited to the issues of:
        1. Whether the person was placed under arrest for an
    offense as defined in Section 11‑501, or a similar provision of a local ordinance, as evidenced by the issuance of a Uniform Traffic Ticket, or issued a Uniform Traffic Ticket out of state as provided in subsection (a) of Section 11‑501.1; and
        2. Whether the officer had reasonable grounds to
    believe that the person was driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway while under the influence of alcohol, other drug, or combination of both; and
        3. Whether the person, after being advised by the
    officer that the privilege to operate a motor vehicle would be suspended if the person refused to submit to and complete the test or tests, did refuse to s