Section 120.300  Answer

a)         Any party receiving a complaint and Notice of Hearing shall file a written answer to the complaint not later than 15 days after receiving the complaint and Notice of Hearing.  The respondent shall specifically admit, deny or explain each of the facts alleged in the complaint. However, if the respondent is without knowledge, the respondent shall so state and that statement operates as a denial. All allegations in the complaint, if no answer is filed, or any allegation in the complaint not specifically denied or explained in an answer filed, unless the answer states that the respondent is without knowledge, shall be deemed to be admitted to be true and shall be so found by the ALJ, unless good cause to the contrary is shown.

b)         When a hearing is scheduled in a matter in which a complaint is not issued, an answer shall not be required and the matter shall proceed under this Part.

c)         An original and one copy of the answer shall be filed with the ALJ.  Immediately upon the filing of the answer, the respondent shall serve a copy on the Director and other parties. An answer of a party represented by counsel or non-attorney representative shall be signed by at least one attorney or non-attorney representative of record in his or her individual name, whose address shall be stated. A party who is not represented by an attorney or non-attorney representative shall sign his or her answer and state his or her address. Except when otherwise specifically provided by rule or statute, an answer need not be verified or accompanied by affidavit. The signature of the attorney or non-attorney party representative constitutes a certificate by him or her that he or she has read the answer; that, to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief, there is good ground to support it; and that it is not interposed for delay. If an answer is not signed or is signed with intent to defeat the purpose of this Section, it may be stricken as a sham and false and the action may proceed as though the answer had not been served. For a willful violation of this Section an attorney or non-attorney party representative may be subjected to appropriate disciplinary action. Similar action may be taken if scandalous or indecent matter is inserted.

d)         The ALJ before whom the hearing is scheduled may by written order extend the time within which the answer shall be filed.

(Source:  Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 17631, effective August 15, 2014)