Section 2110.50  Final Level

a)         If the grievance is not resolved at the 504/ADA Coordinator Level to the satisfaction of the Complainant, the Complainant may submit a copy of the Grievance Form and 504/ADA Coordinator's response to the Chief EEO/AA Officer for final review.  The Complainant shall submit these documents to the Chief EEO/AA Officer, together with a short written statement explaining the reasons for dissatisfaction with the 504/ADA Coordinator's written response, within 15 business days after receipt by the Complainant of the 504/ADA Coordinator's response.

b)         Within 15 business days, the Chief EEO/AA Officer shall appoint a three-member panel to review the grievance at the Final Level.  One member shall be 504/ADA chairperson.  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)         Complainant shall be afforded an opportunity to appear before the panel. Complainant shall have a right to appoint a representative to appear on the Complainant's behalf.  The panel shall review the 504/ADA Coordinator's written response and may conduct interviews and seek advice as it deems appropriate.

d)         Upon agreement of at least two of the panel members, but not later than 15 business days after the review described in subsection (b), the panel shall make recommendations in writing to the Chief EEO/AA Officer 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 Chief EEO/AA Officer in writing and shall sign the recommendation.

e)         Within 15 business days after receipt of recommendations from a panel, the Chief EEO/AA Officer or designee shall: approve, disapprove or modify the panel 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 Chief EEO/AA Officer's decision shall be final.  If the Chief EEO/AA Officer disapproves or modifies the panel's recommendations, the Chief EEO/AA Officer may include written reasons for that disapproval or modification.

f)         The Grievance Form, the 504/ADA Coordinator's response, the Complainant's statement of the reasons for dissatisfaction, the recommendations of the panel, and the decision of the Chief EEO/AA Officer shall be maintained in accordance with the State Records Act [5 ILCS 160] or as otherwise required by law.