(225 ILCS 430/18.3)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

Sec. 18.3. Finding and recommendations. At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall make findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations, separately stated, and submit them to the Secretary and to all parties to the proceeding.

The hearing officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations shall be served upon the licensee in a similar fashion as service of the notice of formal charges. Within 20 days after the service, any party to the proceeding may present to the Secretary a motion, in writing, specifying the particular grounds for a rehearing.

The Secretary, following the time allowed for filing a motion for rehearing, shall review the hearing officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations and any subsequently filed motions. After review of the information, the Secretary may hear oral arguments and thereafter shall issue the order. The report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of the hearing officer shall be the basis for the Department's order. If the Secretary finds that substantial justice was not done, the Secretary may issue an order in contravention of the hearing officer's recommendations.

(Source: P.A. 97-168, eff. 7-22-11.)