Section 120.650  Administrative Law Judge's Recommendations

a)         Where the Director is required by law to be the sole, personal acting officer, the Administrative Law Judge shall, in lieu of decision and order under Section 120.640, make recommendations by way of proposal for decision. The recommendations shall be made upon consideration of the record as a whole or portion of the record as may be supported by competent, material and substantial evidence.

b)         The Administrative Law Judge shall forward a copy of his or her proposed findings of fact, opinions and recommendations to each party of record and each party of record shall be allowed 10 days in which to submit exceptions to the findings, opinions, and recommendations of the Administrative Law Judge and to present a brief to the Administrative Law Judge in support of those exceptions.

c)         The Administrative Law Judge shall then prepare and submit to the Director or his or her authorized representative a final set of findings, opinions and recommendations that, if a party submitted proposed findings of fact that might control the decision or order, shall include a ruling upon each proposed finding of fact together with the exceptions and briefs filed pursuant to this Section.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 10424, effective May 24, 2006)