§161-8 Information, investigations, hearings. For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, the board may:
(a) Gather and compile information which relates to the business operations of persons being regulated under this chapter and such other information necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. Information obtained in confidence by the board shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed by the board except under order of court.
(b) Hold hearings, take testimony, administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and issue subpoenas for the production of records, or documents of any kind. Upon failure or refusal of any witness to obey any subpoena, the board may petition the circuit court, and upon proper showing, the court may enter an order compelling the witness to appear and testify or produce documentary evidence. Failure to obey the order of court shall be punishable as a contempt of court.
No person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from producing documentary evidence before the board in obedience to a subpoena of the board on the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary, or otherwise, required of the person may tend to incriminate the person or subject the person to a penalty or forfeiture; but no person shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which the person is compelled, after having claimed the person's privilege of self-incrimination, to testify, or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, before the board in obedience to a subpoena issued by the board; provided that no person so testifying shall be exempt from prosecution for perjury committed in so testifying.
(c) Request the attorney general of this State to seek relief from the appropriate circuit courts for writs of mandamus commanding any person, firm, or corporation to comply with the provisions of this chapter or any order of the board made in pursuance thereof or to enjoin any violation of this chapter or any order of the board.
Witnesses summoned before the board shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the circuit courts of this State, and witnesses whose depositions are taken and the persons taking them shall severally be entitled to the same fees as are paid for like services in the courts. [L 1969, c 212, §6; gen ch 1985]