Section 204.20  Requests for Hearing

a)         Any person aggrieved by a final ruling of the Stewards may, as a matter of right, request a Board hearing. The hearing shall be a proceeding de novo.

b)         All requests for hearings shall:

1)         be in writing;

2)         contain an address and telephone number where the petitioner may be notified; and

3)         identify the Stewards' ruling and state the specific reasons for the request.

c)         Requests for hearing under this Part shall be filed no later than five business days after receipt of notice of the Stewards' ruling, ejection or exclusion or other action of the Board.  If the petitioner is the subject of a pre-hearing suspension or exclusion, the Board shall conduct its hearing within seven regular business days after the receipt of the request unless the petitioner requests a postponement upon good cause shown and specifically waives the seven day hearing requirement.

d)         For appeals concerning civil penalties of $500 or less or disqualifications based on an occurrence in the race such as interference or a claim of foul where no penalty was assessed against the driver or jockey, the petitioner shall be required to submit to a Director's Review Conference conducted pursuant to Section 204.25. 

e)         For appeals concerning a suspension, exclusion, civil penalty greater than $500, redistribution of the purse after the race results have been finalized by the Stewards, or disqualification based on a violation of 11 Ill. Adm. Code 603 (Medication), the petitioner shall be entitled to an administrative hearing pursuant to this Part or shall be given the option of submitting to a Director's Review Conference conducted pursuant to Section 204.25.  Should a petitioner request a Director's Review Conference, his or her right to an administrative hearing shall be deemed waived.  

f)         Notwithstanding subsections (d) and (e), any single member of the Board may sua sponte direct that any appeal be subject to a formal administrative hearing if the case merits the Board's personal attention.

g)         Requests for hearing may be filed in person at, or by mail addressed to, the Board's office at 100 W. Randolph, Suite 7-701, Chicago, Illinois 60601. Requests submitted by mail will be deemed timely if postmarked no later than five business days after receipt of notice of the Stewards' ruling, ejection or exclusion or other action of the Board.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 20397, effective December 16, 2013)