Section 104.20  Conduct of Hearings

a)         All hearings will be conducted in the county in which the appellant resides.  However, if the appellant is outside the state, the hearing officer may take depositions from him and his witnesses or permit the appellant to present all relevant matter in support of his claim through witnesses acting in his behalf, or both by deposition or testimony of witnesses, depending upon the circumstances in each case.

b)         All hearings will be conducted by:

1)         An impartial hearing officer authorized by the Director of the Department to consider issues under appeal by AABD, AFDC, Food Stamp, AMI, or MANG clients, or GA clients in the City of Chicago.  The hearing shall be conducted in the county in which the appellant resides or another county acceptable to the appellant.

2)         A Public Aid Committee for GA appeals outside the City of Chicago.

c)         The hearing shall be open to such persons as the hearing officer or the Public Aid Committee (of a local governmental unit which receives State funds) deems necessary and proper for its orderly and efficient conduct.

(Source:  Amended at 8 Ill. Reg. 18114, effective September 21, 1984)