Section 1660.50  Final Level

a)         If the grievance has not been resolved at the ADA Coordinator Level to the satisfaction of the complainant, the complainant may submit a copy of the Grievance Form and ADA 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 for dissatisfaction with the ADA Coordinator's written response, within 15 business days after receipt by the complainant of the ADA Coordinator's response.

b)         Within 15 business days of receipt of the appeal to the Secretary, the Secretary shall appoint a three-member panel to review the grievance at the Final Level.  One member shall be the ADA Coordinator.  The panel shall schedule a review of the grievance, which shall commence no later than 15 business days after the last member of the panel is appointed.

c)         The complainant shall be afforded an opportunity to appear before the panel.  The complainant shall have a right to appoint a representative to appear on behalf of the complainant.  The panel shall review the ADA Coordinator's written response and may conduct interviews and seek advice as deemed appropriate.

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

e)         Within 15 business days after receipt of the recommendation from the panel, the Secretary shall approve, disapprove, or modify the panel's recommendations, render a decision on those recommendations in writing, state the basis for the decision, and 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's recommendations, the Secretary shall include written reasons for disapproval or modification.

f)         The Grievance Form, the ADA Coordinator's response, the complaint's statement of reasons for dissatisfaction, the recommendations of the panel, and the decision of the Secretary shall be maintained in accordance with the State Records Act [5 ILCS 160] or as otherwise required by law.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 14979, effective November 6, 2025)