Illinois Statutes Chapter 50. Local Government § 745/2. Definitions

(a) “Fireman” means a person who is a “firefighter” or “fireman” as defined in Sections 4-106 or 6-106 of the Illinois Pension Code,  1 a paramedic employed by a unit of local government, or an EMT, emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), or advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT) employed by a unit of local government, and includes a person who is an “employee” as defined in Section 15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code  2 and whose primary duties relate to firefighting.

(b) “Informal inquiry” means a meeting by supervisory or command personnel with a fireman upon whom an allegation of misconduct has come to the attention of such supervisory or command personnel, the purpose of which meeting is to mediate a citizen complaint or discuss the facts to determine whether a formal investigation should be commenced.

(c) “Formal investigation” means the process of investigation ordered by a commanding officer during which the questioning of a fireman is intended to gather evidence of misconduct which may be the basis for filing charges seeking his or her removal, discharge, or suspension from duty in excess of 24 duty hours.

(d) “Interrogation” means the questioning of a fireman pursuant to an investigation initiated by the respective State or local governmental unit in connection with an alleged violation of such unit's rules which may be the basis for filing charges seeking his or her suspension, removal, or discharge. The term does not include questioning as part of an informal inquiry as to allegations of misconduct relating to minor infractions of agency rules which may be noted on the fireman's record but which may not in themselves result in removal, discharge, or suspension from duty in excess of 24 duty hours.

(e) “Administrative proceeding” means any non-judicial hearing which is authorized to recommend, approve or order the suspension, removal, or discharge of a fireman.