Section 550.10  Definitions

"ADA" means the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq. (1991)).

"Complainant" means an individual with a disability who files a grievance form provided by the Department in accordance with this Part.

"Department" means the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

"Designated Coordinator" means the person appointed by the Director to coordinate the Department's efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title II of the ADA, including the investigation of grievances filed by complainants.  Grievances under the ADA shall be submitted to:

Americans With Disabilities Act Coordinator

Department of Agriculture

State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281

Springfield, Illinois 62794-9281

(Telephone:  217/782-2172)

"Director" means the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture or his or her duly authorized representative.

"'Disability' means, with respect to an individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; a record of such impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment"  (Section 12101 of the ADA (42 U.S.C. (1991)).

"Grievance" means any formal, written complaint under the ADA by an individual with a disability who:

meets the essential eligibility requirements for participation in or receipt of the benefits of a program, activity, or service offered by the Department; and

believes he or she has been excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, any program, service, or activity of the Department or has been subject to discrimination by the Department on the basis of his or her disability.

"'Qualified individual with a disability' means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable modifications to rules, policies, or practices, the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities provided by the Department" (Section 12131 of the ADA (42 U.S.C. (1991)).

            "Working days" means Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays.