Section 950.50  Final Level

a)         If the grievance is not resolved at the Designated Coordinator Level to the satisfaction of the complainant, the complainant may submit a copy of the Grievance Form and Designated Coordinator's response to the Director of the Department for final review.  The complainant shall submit these documents to the Director, together with a short written statement explaining the reason(s) for dissatisfaction with the Designated Coordinator's written response, within fifteen (15) business days after receipt by the complainant of the Designated Coordinator's response.

b)         Within fifteen (15) business days, the Director shall appoint a three-member panel to review the grievance at the Final Level.  One member so appointed shall be designated chairman.  The panel shall schedule a review of the grievance which shall commence no later than fifteen (15) business days after the last member of the panel is appointed.

c)         Complainant shall be afforded an opportunity to appear before the panel.  Complainant shall have a right to appoint a representative to appear on his/her behalf. The panel shall review the Designated Coordinator's written response and may conduct interviews and seek advice as it deems appropriate.

d)         Upon agreement of at least two (2) of the panel members, but not later than fifteen (15) business days after the review in subsection (b) above, the panel shall make recommendations in writing to the Director as to the proper resolution of the grievance.  All recommendations shall include reasons for such recommendations and shall bear the signatures of the concurring panel members.  A dissenting member of the panel may make a recommendation to the Director in writing and shall sign such recommendation.

e)         Within fifteen (15) business days after receipt of recommendations from a panel, the Director/or designee, shall approve, disapprove or modify the panel recommendations; shall render a decision thereon in writing; shall state the basis therefor; and shall cause a copy of the decision to be served on the parties. The Director's decision shall be final.  If the Director disapproves or modifies the panel's recommendations, the Director may include written reasons for such disapproval or modification.

f)         The Grievance Form, the Designated Coordinator's response, the statement of the reasons for dissatisfaction, the recommendations of the panel, and the decision of the Director shall be maintained in accordance with the State Records Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 116, par. 43.3 et seq.), or as otherwise required by law.