(410 ILCS 705/15-170) Sec. 15-170. Hearing; motion for rehearing. (a) The hearing officer shall hear evidence in support of the formal charges and evidence produced by the licensee. At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall present to the Secretary a written report of his or her findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations. (b) At the conclusion of the hearing, a copy of the hearing officer's report shall be served upon the applicant or licensee by the Department, either personally or as provided in this Act for the service of a notice of hearing. Within 20 calendar days after service, the applicant or licensee may present to the Department a motion in writing for rehearing, which shall specify the particular grounds for rehearing. The Department may respond to the motion for rehearing within 20 calendar days after its service on the Department. If no motion for rehearing is filed, then, upon the expiration of the time specified for filing such motion or upon denial of a motion for rehearing, the Secretary may enter an order in accordance with the recommendation of the hearing officer. If the applicant or licensee orders from the reporting service and pays for a transcript of the record within the time for filing a motion for rehearing, the 20-day period within which a motion may be filed shall commence upon the delivery of the transcript to the applicant or licensee. (c) If the Secretary disagrees in any regard with the report of the hearing officer, the Secretary may issue an order contrary to the report. (d) Whenever the Secretary is not satisfied that substantial justice has been done, the Secretary may order a rehearing by the same or another hearing officer. (e) At any point in any investigation or disciplinary proceeding under this Article, both parties may agree to a negotiated consent order. The consent order shall be final upon signature of the Secretary. (Source: P.A. 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.) |