Section 125.160  Continuances

a)         A hearing may be continued for good cause by the Hearing Officer upon his or her own motion or upon motion of a party to the hearing after due consideration of any time limitations imposed by the Election Code or by this Part. Notice of any postponement or continuance shall be given to all parties within a reasonable time in advance of the previously scheduled hearing date.  All parties involved in a hearing shall attempt to avoid undue delay caused by repetitive continuances so that the hearing may be resolved expeditiously.

b)         For good cause, and only if pursuant to a written stipulation among all parties, a hearing may be continued for a period of time in excess of the time limits set forth in Section 9-21 of the Election Code; provided, however:

1)         No continuance, or series of continuances, may total more than 45 days;

2)         If the complaint was filed within 60 days preceding the date of an election, in no event shall the continuance extend beyond 2 days prior to the date of the election.

c)         Any request for a continuance, the reasons for a continuance, and any written stipulation shall be made part of the hearing record.

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 2351, effective February 4, 2011)