Section 125.100  Disqualification of Hearing Officer

Any party to a hearing may file a timely written request for disqualification of a Hearing Officer, setting forth the nature of the personal bias, prejudice or other disqualification of the presiding Hearing Officer, and the Hearing Officer shall be disqualified.  When a Hearing Officer is disqualified, or it becomes impractical for him or her to continue, another presiding Hearing Officer shall be appointed in the manner provided for initial appointment, unless it is further shown that substantial bias or prejudice will result from the appointment.  A Hearing Officer may at any time voluntarily disqualify himself or herself.  A request for disqualification shall be considered timely if made within 3 days after receipt of the notice of the appointment of the Hearing Officer by the party requesting the disqualification and at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of the hearing or pre-hearing conference. However, in the case of a complaint filed within 60 days preceding the date of an election in reference to which the complaint is filed, the request shall be considered timely only if verbal notice of the request is given to the General Counsel within 8 hours after the requesting party has received telegraphic or telephonic notice of the appointment of the Hearing Officer.

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 2351, effective February 4, 2011)