Section 100.50  Final Level

a)         If the grievance is not resolved at the Designated Coordinator Level to the satisfaction of the complainant, the complainant may submit a copy of the Grievance Form and Designated Coordinator's response to the Secretary for final review.  The complainant shall submit these documents to the Secretary, together with a short written statement explaining the reason(s) for dissatisfaction with the Designated Coordinator's written response, within five (5) business days after receipt by the complainant of the Designated Coordinator's response.

b)         Within fifteen (15) days, the Secretary shall appoint a three- member panel to review the grievance at the Final Level.  One member so appointed shall be the designated chairperson.  The panel shall schedule a review of the grievance which shall commence no later than fifteen (15) days after the last member of the panel is appointed.

c)         Complainant shall be afforded an opportunity to appear before the panel. Complainant shall have the right to appoint a representative to appear on his/her behalf.  The panel shall review the Designated Coordinator's written response and may conduct interviews and seek advice as it deems appropriate.

d)         Upon agreement of at least two (2) of the panel members, but not later than fifteen (15) days after the review in Section 100.50(b) above, the panel shall make recommendations in writing to the Secretary as to the proper resolution of the grievance.  All recommendations shall include reasons for such recommendations and shall bear the signatures of the concurring panel members.  A dissenting member of the panel may make a recommendation to the Secretary in writing and shall sign such recommendation.

e)         Within ten (10) days after receipt of recommendation(s) from a panel, the Secretary, or designee, shall approve, disapprove or modify the panel recommendations; shall render a decision thereon in writing; shall state the basis therefor; and shall cause a copy of the decision to be served on the parties.  The Secretary's decision shall be final.  If the Secretary disapproves or modifies the panel recommendations, the Secretary may include written reasons for such disapproval or modification.

f)         The Grievance Form, the Designated Coordinator's response, the statement of reasons for disatisfaction, the recommendations of the panel and the decision of the Secretary shall be maintained in accordance with the State Records Act (Ill. Rev. Stat 1991, ch. 116, par. 43.3 et seq.), or as otherwise required by law.