Section 1700.210  Ex Parte Communications

a)         After a notice of hearing has been issued, communications between a party to a proceeding and the Administrative Law Judge, Board, Director or an employee of the Department, whether oral or written, direct or indirect (ex parte communications), are generally prohibited, except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate.  However, communications solely for the purpose of determining procedural or administrative requirements, or communications between agency employees or between an Administrative Law Judge and a personal assistant, will not be considered ex parte communications for the purposes of this Section.  (See 5 ILCS 100/10-60.)

b)         Any written ex parte communications, as well as a written summary of any oral ex parte communications, shall become part of the record of any proceeding before the Department, but shall not be the basis for any finding of fact by the Administrative Law Judge, the Board or the Director.  (See 5 ILCS 100/10-35 and 10-60.)

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 13886, effective September 18, 2023)