Section 200.436  Pre-Hearing Conferences

Upon written request to the Administrative Law Judge by the Department or any respondent, the parties may be directed by the Administrative Law Judge to appear at a specified date, time and place for a pre-hearing conference, prior to the date set for hearing in the particular proceeding or, without notice on the date and at the place set for such hearing and prior to the commencement thereof or during the course of such hearing, for the purpose of formulating issues and considering:

a)         the simplification of issues;

b)         the necessity or desirability of amending the pleadings for the purpose of clarification, amplification or limitation with respect to matters alleged in any Notice of Hearing;

c)         the possibility of making admissions or stipulations of fact to the end of avoiding the unnecessary introduction of evidence;

d)         the limitation of the number of witnesses;

e)         the propriety of prior mutual exchange between or among parties of prepared testimony or exhibits; and

f)          such other matters as may aid in the simplification of the evidence and disposition of the proceeding.

The parties and Administrative Law Judge shall comply with the provisions of Section 10-60 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 127, par 1010-60) at every point after appointment of the Administrative Law Judge.