Section 288.240  Award Recommendations

a)         In making recommendations for awards, the Administrator shall, at a minimum, include within its recommendation:

1)         The name of the CIR to which the Administrator recommends awarding compensation from the Fund;

2)         The amount of the award the Administrator recommends;

3)         An explanation of how the CIR meets the definition of a Consumer Interest Representative;

4)         Identification of each material recommendation, in whole, in part, or with modification, made by the CIR or adopts a settlement or stipulation agreement in which a material recommendation of the CIR is resolved related to a significant issue in a Commission docket (or dockets) that the Commission adopted in its final order, including evidence that the final Commission Order included a discussion of the CIR's evidence or recommendations;

5)         An explanation of how costs incurred by the CIR from participation in the Commission docket (or dockets) identified in subsection (a)(4) caused a significant financial hardship for the CIR;

6)         A determination of whether the CIR received directly or indirectly any compensation, funding, or donations from parties that have a financial interest in the outcome of the proceeding for which the CIR is seeking compensation;

7)         An explanation of why the recommended award is fair, just, and reasonable, including how the award is consistent with the market rates paid to persons of comparable training and experience who offer similar services and does not exceed the comparable market rate for services paid by the public utility as part of its rate case expense;

8)         A statement that sufficient monies exist in the Fund to make the award, if that is the case; and

9)         A statement of whether the CIR received compensation before the Commission's final order after denial or decision on rehearing in the proceeding and, if so, the net amount of compensation that the CIR is owed by, or is obligated to return to, the Fund.

b)         Award recommendations shall be submitted by the Administrator to the Commission, with information supporting the recommendation as required by Sections 288.220 and 288.230, as a notice filed as a report in eDocket in the proceeding in which compensation is sought within 30 days after a verified request for compensation is received.

(Source:  Added at 47 Ill. Reg. 5619, effective April 7, 2023)