Section 288.200  Eligibility Requirements

a)         A Consumer Interest Representative is eligible for full or partial compensation from the Fund if all of the conditions in this subsection (a) are met.  Eligible expenses include the CIR's reasonable fees for attorneys and experts and reasonable costs of participating in a Commission docket. Expenses related to travel or meals are not compensable. Nothing in this provision shall exclude a CIR from receiving compensation under this Subpart C for cosponsoring a witness's testimony, joint discovery, or joint briefing with another party. Other parties may include, but are not limited to, a government agency or the Citizens Utility Board:

1)         The CIR's participation includes lay or expert testimony or legal briefing and argument concerning the expenses, investments, rate design, rate impact, or other matters affecting the programs, plans, tariffs, policies, pricing, rates, costs, charges, or other offerings associated with utility service;

2)         The Commission adopts a material recommendation, in whole, in part, or with modification, made by the CIR or adopts a settlement or stipulation agreement in which a material recommendation of the CIR is resolved related to a significant issue in the docket;

3)         The CIR's participation has caused a significant financial hardship to the participant;

4)         The CIR does not receive any compensation, funding or donations, directly or indirectly, from parties that have a financial interest in the outcome of the proceeding, provided that parties that have a financial interest do not include residential or small commercial utility customers.

b)         The Administrator shall, by July 1, 2023, publish a standard application and disclosure form required from all CIRs requesting funds according to this Subpart. The purpose of the form is to provide transparency in the Administrator's adjudication of fund eligibility.  The Administrator may revise and publish the standard financial disclosure form from time to time if that form is made available on the Commission's website and accessible to intervenors at the time of intervention and if the form contains no requirements not already stated in this Part.  Notwithstanding the standard application and disclosure form, the Administrator or the Commission may request, and the CIR shall provide, any additional information relevant to determining the appropriateness of an award request.

(Source:  Added at 47 Ill. Reg. 5619, effective April 7, 2023)