(1) All examinations, investigations and hearings provided for by this Code may be conducted either by the Director personally, or by one or more of the actuaries, technical advisors, deputies, supervisors or examiners employed or retained by the Department and designated by the Director for such purpose. When necessary to supplement its examination procedures, the Department may retain independent actuaries deemed competent by the Director, independent certified public accountants, or qualified examiners of insurance companies deemed competent by the Director, or any combination of the foregoing, the cost of which shall be borne by the company or person being examined. The Director may compensate independent actuaries, certified public accountants and qualified examiners retained for supplementing examination procedures in amounts not to exceed the reasonable and customary charges for such services. The Director may also accept as a part of the Department’s examination of any company or person (a) a report by an independent actuary deemed competent by the Director or (b) a report of an audit made by an independent certified public accountant. Neither those persons so designated nor any members of their immediate families shall be officers of, connected with, or financially interested in any company other than as policyholders, nor shall they be financially interested in any other corporation or person affected by the examination, investigation or hearing.
     (2) All hearings provided for in this Code shall, unless otherwise specially provided, be held at such time and place as shall be designated in a notice which shall be given by the Director in writing to the person or company whose interests are affected, at least 10 days before the date designated therein. The notice shall state the subject of inquiry and the specific charges, if any. The hearings shall be held in the City of Springfield, the City of Chicago, or in the county where the principal business address of the person or company affected is located.