Section 761.30  Definitions

Unless otherwise defined, the following terms as used in this Part shall have the following meanings:

            "Commissioner" means a member of the Commission.

            "Documents" means petitions, responses, amended and supplemental petitions, written discovery, responses to discovery, verified statements, verified exhibits, depositions, motions, responses, replies, notices, proposed arbitration decisions, exceptions to Hearing Examiners' proposed arbitration decisions, briefs, draft proposed arbitration decisions, and similar writings.

            "e-Docket" means a Web based electronic filing system that allows electronic filing, management, and access to electronic records that make up case files.

            "Electronic" includes electrical, digital, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or any other form of technology that entails capabilities similar to these technologies. [220 ILCS 5/3-122]

            "Electronic document" means a pleading or a document transmitted by electronic means to the Commission with an electronic signature attached.

            "Electronic record" means a record generated, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means for use in an information system or for transmission from one information system to another. [5 ILCS 175/5-105]

            "Electronic signature" means a signature in electronic form issued by the Commission pursuant to Section 761.1020 and consisting of a user I.D. and password attached to or logically associated with an electronic document.

            "E-mail address" means a destination, commonly expressed as a string of characters, to which electronic mail may be sent or delivered. [815 ILCS 511/5]

            "Hearing Examiner" means a person employed by the Commission under Section 2-106 of the Public Utilities Act, who is assigned to conduct arbitration proceedings pursuant to Section 252 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC 252).  A Commissioner may also serve as a Hearing Examiner for purposes of this Part.

            "Party" means any person who initiates a Commission proceeding by filing a petition for arbitration or a person entitled to file a response to a petition for arbitration pursuant to Section 252(b)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934.  Staff is not a party but shall have the specific rights and duties of parties as enumerated in this Part.  No other person shall be granted party status or be allowed to intervene.

            "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, governmental body or unincorporated association.

            "Petitioner" means a party who, by petition, applies for or seeks relief through arbitration pursuant to Section 252(b) of the Communications Act of 1934.

            "Pleading" means any petition, motion, reply or response filed with the Commission in an arbitration proceeding.

            "Respondent" means a party against whom a petition is filed.

            "Staff" or "Commission Staff" means individuals employed by the Commission.  For purposes of this Part, a Hearing Examiner is not considered a member of the Commission Staff.

(Source:  Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 15958, effective October 15, 2000)