Section 1.50  Ex Parte Communications

a)         Except in the disposition of matters they are authorized by law to entertain or dispose of on an ex parte basis, commission members, employees and Administrative Law Judges shall not, after notice of hearing in a contested case, communicate, directly or indirectly, in connection with any issue of fact, with any person or party, or in connection with any other issue with any party or the party's representative, except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate.

b)         Communications regarding procedure, including, but not limited to, format of pleadings, number of copies required, manner of service, status of proceedings, and continuances are not considered to be ex parte communications. 

(Source:  Amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 3485, effective March 3, 2010)