Illinois Compiled Statutes
225 ILCS 705/ - Coal Mining Act.
Article 10 - Accidents And Injuries

(225 ILCS 705/Art. 10 heading)

(225 ILCS 705/10.01) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1001)
Sec. 10.01.

Any loss of life or personal injury in or about any coal mine shall be reported without delay, by the persons having charge of the mine,
to the State Mine Inspector of the district. The State Mine Inspector, in
all cases of loss of life, shall go immediately to the scene of the
accident and render every possible assistance to those in need.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/10.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1002)
Sec. 10.02.

Every operator of a coal mine shall make or cause to be made and preserve for the information of the State Mine Inspector, upon uniform
blanks furnished by said Inspector a record of all deaths and all injuries
sustained by any of his employees in the pursuance of their regular
occupations.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/10.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1003)
Sec. 10.03.

If any person is killed in or about a mine the operator shall notify the coroner of the county, who shall hold an inquest concerning the
cause of the death. The State Mine Inspector may question or cross-question
any witness testifying at the inquest.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/10.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1004)
Sec. 10.04.

The State Mine Inspector shall make a personal investigation as to the nature and cause of all serious accidents in mines under his
supervision. He shall make a record of the circumstances attending the
accident, as developed at the coroner's inquest and by his own personal
investigation. A copy of the record shall be filed with the Department
within 30 days following the conclusion of the investigation, and the
report shall thereupon become a part of the records of the Department. To
enable the State Mine Inspector to make his investigation he has the power
to compel the attendance of witnesses, and to administer oaths or
affirmations to them.

(Source: P.A. 79-340.)

(225 ILCS 705/10.05) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1005)
Sec. 10.05.

The Department shall furnish, upon application, a certified copy of all records, reports and proceedings relating to any serious accident,
to interested persons, and upon the payment or tender of fees at such rates
as are now paid to the clerks of circuit courts in counties of the second
class for certified copies of records. Refusal to furnish such copies is a
Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 77-2830.)

(225 ILCS 705/10.06) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1006)
Sec. 10.06.

At every mine, it shall be the duty of the operator thereof to keep always on hand, and at some readily accessible place, a sufficient
amount of properly constructed stretchers, woolen and waterproof blankets
and splints; a suitable supply of first aid equipment in good condition,
ready for immediate use for binding, covering and carrying any one who may
be injured at the mine. Any person willfully removing or destroying any
first aid material or equipment as required above, shall be guilty of a
Class A misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in the statutes of
the State.

(Source: P.A. 77-2830.)

(225 ILCS 705/10.07) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1007)
Sec. 10.07.

For any injury to person or property, occasioned by any
willful violation of this Act, or willful failure to comply with any of
its provisions, a right of action shall accrue to the party injured, for
any direct damages sustained thereby; and in case of loss of life by
reason of such willful violation or willful failure, a
right of action shall accrue to the personal representative of the
person so killed for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin
of such person and to any other person or persons who were, before such
loss of life, dependent for support on the person or persons so killed
for a like recovery of damages for the injuries sustained by reason of
such loss of life or lives not to exceed the sum of $20,000.00. Every such
action for damages in case of death shall be
commenced within one year after the death of such person. The amount
recovered by the personal representative of the
person so killed shall be distributed to the surviving spouse
and next of kin of
such person in the proportion provided by law in relation to the
distribution of personal property left by persons dying intestate. If
and whenever there is in force in this State a
statute or statutes providing for compensation to workers for all
injuries received in the course of their employment, the provisions
thereof shall apply in lieu of the right of action for damages provided
in this Act.

(Source: P.A. 83-340.)

(225 ILCS 705/10.08)
Sec. 10.08. Use of telecommunications center. In order to ensure a quick and efficient means of effectively disseminating duties and responsibilities to those agencies involved in mining emergency response, the Department shall use the telecommunications center maintained by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to notify agents of the Department and other State, federal, and local agencies in the event of an emergency in or about any coal mine. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with the Mining Board, shall establish procedures concerning the manner in which the Illinois Emergency Management Agency shall record pertinent information regarding a mining emergency, determine the urgency of a call, and forward information to the Department.

(Source: P.A. 94-1041, eff. 7-24-06.)