Section 1.5720  Hearing Officers

a)         The CPO-GS may appoint one or more Hearing Officers to conduct the hearing. If more than one Hearing Officer is assigned to conduct a hearing, one shall be designated as the Chief Hearing Officer.

b)         The Hearing Officer may require that the SPO or authorized representative of a State agency attend a hearing or be part of the Hearing Panel.

c)         The Hearing Officer will hear and consider information presented by interested persons and make a recommendation to the CPO-GS regarding the validity of the determination of the subject matter of the hearing.

d)        The Hearing Officer shall be responsible for the orderly conduct of the hearing by exercising discretion in:

1)         Scheduling, starting and ending the hearing;

2)         Setting the order of activities;

3)         Setting reasonable time limits for oral statements;

4)         Resolving any conflicts that may arise during the hearing.

e)         The Hearing Officer may cancel a hearing at any time prior to commencing a hearing, including making an announcement at the scheduled hearing date, time and location, but shall give as much advance notice as possible under the circumstances.  A notice confirming the cancellation and any reschedule information will be published in the Bulletin.

f)         The Hearing Officer may change a scheduled hearing date, time or location prior to commencing a hearing by posting a notice outside the hearing room and by posting a notice to the Bulletin.  The hearing should be continued to the next practicable date. In setting the next practicable hearing date, the Hearing Officer may take into consideration the schedule of the parties, the hardship to witnesses or the general public, travel and logistical considerations and any other matters that would affect public participation in the hearing.

g)         After commencing a hearing, the Hearing Officer may reconvene a hearing by announcing the new date and time at the hearing and posting the new date and time outside the hearing room.  The hearing shall be continued to the next practicable date in accordance with subsection (f).

(Source:  Added at 36 Ill. Reg. 10729, effective August 6, 2012)